What constitutes a fracture for Osteoporosis purposes?

Posted by njhornung @normahorn, Aug 8 9:51am

Last night I had a dog induced fall on asphalt which left my right side sore and a hole in my elbow (one stitch needed). I also am the "proud" owner of a cracked bone in my elbow. Does that count as a fracture for determining future risks?

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njx58 | @njx58 | Aug 8 10:11am

Not necessarily. People can obviously fall on the street and break something no matter who you are. If you have osteoporosis, it may be more likely for you to break something if you fall. Also, people who have it have gotten fractures without falling, which is a gigantic red flag.

gently | @gently | Aug 8 10:47am

njhornung, so good to hear from you, sorry about the circumstances. The cracked elbow-bone sounds so painful. What did they do. Can you even use or move it.
Seriously, they've revised the FRAX risk score to include both dog ownership and calla lily manipulation.
But I think you should get major frax risk reduction points for falling without fracturing a hip, spine, femur or humerus the major sites of osteoporotic fracture.
The score form only offers a click for previous fracture. We're making an exception for you.
I hope it heals quickly.

njhornung | @normahorn | Aug 8 12:12pm

The arm is somewhat useable but I have to use my left arm for eating. I have an appointment with an orthodedic specialist in 10 days and am wait listed for an earlier one. Have to be patient as time will heal.

I maneuvered 17 bags of mulch last month; the ones that were dry were manageable as they only weigh about 30 pounds. The bags with wet mulch had to be handled very differently.