Fall-related fracture
Also called: fall fracture, fracture from falling
What it means
A fall-related fracture is a broken bone caused by a fall, most often in older adults with weaker bones. Common sites include the hip, wrist, and spine.
If your bones are already weak, even a simple fall can cause a serious break that affects your mobility and independence.
A fall-related fracture happens when someone falls, often from standing height or less, and the impact is enough to break a bone. In people with strong, healthy bones, this kind of fall usually causes only bruises or minor injury. But when bone density is low, as in osteopenia or osteoporosis, the same fall can be enough to break a hip, wrist, shoulder, or vertebra.
These are sometimes called fragility fractures because they result from a force that wouldn't normally break a healthy bone. The hip and spine are especially concerning sites, since hip fractures often require surgery and can lead to a long recovery, and spinal compression fractures can cause height loss, stooped posture, and ongoing back pain.
Preventing fall-related fractures involves two separate goals: reducing the risk of falling in the first place, and supporting bone strength so a fall is less likely to cause a break. Fall risk is shaped by things like balance, vision, muscle strength, medications, and home hazards. Your doctor can help assess both your fall risk and your bone health, and guide any decisions about testing or treatment.
Falls are the leading cause of fractures in older adults, often at the hip, wrist, or spine.
Where this leads
WordA fall-related fracture starts with a fall. Curious what factors actually raise your fall risk beyond just weak bones?
Related words
Fall risk is how likely you are to fall, and it matters because falling—not just weak bones—is the most common cause…
A fragility fracture is a broken bone caused by a fall or bump that normally wouldn't break a healthy bone, often at…
A hip fracture is a break at the femoral neck, the narrow part of bone connecting the hip joint ball to the thigh…
Fear of falling is ongoing worry or anxiety about losing your balance and falling, which can make people limit their…
Balance training is practice that improves your stability and coordination so you're less likely to fall — and falls…
A vertebral compression fracture is when a bone in the spine collapses or flattens, often because the bone is…
Education only, not medical advice. Decisions about tests, medications and treatment belong with your own doctor. OsteoStrong does not diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
