J Bone Metab.  2015 Nov;22(4):175-181. 10.11005/jbm.2015.22.4.175.

Osteoporotic Fracture: 2015 Position Statement of the Korean Society for Bone and Mineral Research

• Yoo JH
• Moon SH
• Ha YC
• Lee DY
• Gong HS
• Park SY
• Yang KH

• KMID: 2170125
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11005/jbm.2015.22.4.175

Abstract

Osteoporotic fractures are one of the most common causes of disability and a major contributor to medical care costs worldwide. Prior osteoporotic fracture at any site is one of the strongest risk factors for a new fracture, which occurs very soon after the first fracture. Bone mineral density (BMD) scan, a conventional diagnostic tool for osteoporosis, has clear limitations in diagnosing osteoporotic fractures and identifying the risk of subsequent fractures. Therefore, early and accurate diagnosis of osteoporotic fractures using the clinical definition which is applicable practically and independent of BMD, is essential for preventing subsequent fractures and reducing the socioeconomic burden of these fractures. Fractures caused by low-level trauma equivalent to a fall from a standing height or less at major (hip, spine, distal radius, and proximal humerus) or minor (pelvis, sacrum, ribs, distal femur and humerus, and ankle) sites in adults over age 50, should be first regarded as osteoporotic. In addition, if osteoporotic fractures are strongly suspected on history and physical examination even though there are no positive findings on conventional X-rays, more advanced imaging techniques such as computed tomography, bone scan, and magnetic resonance imaging are necessary as soon as possible.

Keyword

Definition; Diagnosis; Osteoporosis; Osteoporotic fractures; Practice guidelines as topic

MeSH Terms

Adult
Bone Density
Diagnosis
Femur
Health Care Costs
Humans
Humerus
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Osteoporosis
Osteoporotic Fractures*
Physical Examination
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Radius
Ribs
Risk Factors
Sacrum
Spine

Figure

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  Fig. 1 A fracture of the right femoral neck in a 76-year-old male patient is shown on a preoperative radiograph. The fracture was caused by a simple fall from a bed. There was no finding of osteoporosis on dual energy X-ray absorptiometry measured at the proximal femur and lumbar spine.

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  Fig. 2 Typical osteoporotic fractures at major sites. (A) Hip, (B) Spine, (C) Distal radius, (D) Proximal humerus.

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  Fig. 3 Typical osteoporotic fractures at minor sites. (A) Pelvis, (B) Sacrum, (C) Ribs, (D) Distal femur, (E) Distal humerus, (F) Ankle.

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