Ann Kearns, M.D., Ph.D., has helped thousands of Mayo Clinic patients avoid the disabling effects of osteoporosis. She knows her older patients are at increased risk of broken bones. But she also knows there's a lot they can do to prevent a bad break.
Discover how Dr. Kearns helps adults in their 50s, 60s and beyond get a clearer picture of their risk. Learn what steps she recommends to keep bones strong.
We asked a Mayo Clinic expert: What do older adults need to know about broken bones?
Ann Kearns, M.D., Ph.D., Endocrinology: The thing that I'm most passionate about is people realizing that if you're older, and you have a broken bone from a simple fall, that you should be really asking your doctor, "Could this be a sign of osteoporosis? What can I do to lower my risk of additional broken bones?"
Where the big gap is, is that people who suffer broken bones aren't often assessed for their risk of additional broken bones and given measures, both prescription medications and lifestyle measures, to lower that risk.
You can cut your risk of a broken bone in half
Medications and other measures can reduce the risk of broken bones by about 50%, which is quite good. There's a lot of misinformation about osteoporosis, both about the benefits potentially of supplements, which are often not as great as people think. So diet and lifestyle is important, but it might not be as great an impact on your risk of broken bones as people realize.
About 20% of broken hips occur in men
Women typically have thinner bones throughout their life than men. But about 20% of hip fractures occur in men. So we shouldn't forget that a broken bone, even in a man, could be a sign of osteoporosis or bone thinning.
Dr. Kearns has helped thousands of patients avoid the disabling effects of osteoporosis.
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