Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Jun 14;60(2):1-8.
doi: 10.1055/s-0044-1789220. eCollection 2025 Apr.

Review of Osteoporotic Fractures: Occurrence, Prevention, and Consequences

Nelson Elias  1 , José Eduardo Grandi Ribeiro  2 , Luiz Augusto Campinho  3 , Cilas Reis  4 , Luiz Arthur Miguelote S Elias  5 , Pedro José Labronici  6
Affiliations

Review of Osteoporotic Fractures: Occurrence, Prevention, and Consequences

Nelson Elias et al. Rev Bras Ortop (Sao Paulo). .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Osteoporosis is a metabolic condition that compromises bone density and architecture, increasing the risk of fractures and impacting morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis involves bone densitometry, in which mineral density in areas prone to fractures is assessed. Primary osteoporosis is age-related and may remain asymptomatic for years, while secondary osteoporosis results from comorbidities or medications. Approximately 80% of postmenopausal Caucasian women have osteoporosis, with an expected increase with aging. Orthopedic treatments are common for fractures, which are often caused by falls in the elderly. Fracture prevention requires public health policies and therapies focused on this goal.

A osteoporose é uma condição metabólica que compromete a densidade e a arquitetura ósseas, o que aumenta o risco de fraturas e tem impacto na morbimortalidade. O diagnóstico envolve a densitometria óssea, em que se avalia a densidade mineral em áreas propensas a fraturas. A osteoporose primária, relacionada à idade, pode permanecer assintomática por anos, ao passo que a secundária resulta de comorbidades ou medicamentos. Cerca de 80% das mulheres brancas na pós-menopausa têm osteoporose, com expectativa de aumento com o envelhecimento. Tratamentos ortopédicos são comuns para fraturas, que são frequentemente causadas por quedas em idosos. A prevenção de fraturas é crucial, e requer políticas de saúde pública e terapias com este objetivo.

Keywords: diagnosis; fractures, stress; osteoporosis; risk assessment; treatment.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interests The authors have no conflict of interests to delcare.

Figures

Figs. 1 and 2
Figs. 1 and 2
Bone mineral density (BMD) values of a healthy elderly woman ( Fig. 1 ) and an elderly woman with osteoporosis ( Fig. 2 ). Fig. 1 shows a BMD test of a healthy elderly woman. Radiography reveals normal hip bones. The graph shows the BMD value within the green (normal) zone. Fig. 2 shows a BMD test from an elderly woman with osteoporosis. Radiography shows weaker hip bones. The graph shows the BMD value within the red (osteoporotic) zone, significantly increasing the risk of fractures. Abbreviation: BMC, bone mineral content.
Figs. 3 A,B and 4 A,B
Figs. 3 A,B and 4 A,B
Examples of the two most common sites affected by osteoporotic fractures and their orthopedic treatments. ( 3A ) Preoperative transtrochanteric fracture. ( 3B ) Surgical treatment. ( 4A ) Preoperative assessment of vertebral fracture. ( 4B ) Surgical treatment after kyphoplasty (intraosseous injection of orthopedic cement). Angular kyphosis was reduced from 24 to 18 degrees.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Radiograph showing an atypical right subtrochanteric femoral fracture in an elderly person after minimal trauma.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

References

    1. on behalf of the World Health Organization Scientific Group (WHO) Kanis J A.Assessment of osteoporosis at the primary health-care level. Technical Report World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases, University of Sheffield, UK; 2007. Available from:https://www.iofbonehealth.org/sites/default/files/WHO_Technical_Report-2...
    1. World Health Organization (WHO) Assessment of fracture risk and its application to screening for postmenopausal osteoporosis: report of a WHO study group [‎‎‎‎meeting held in Rome from 22 to 25 June 1992]; 1994‎‎‎‎Available from:https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/39142 - PubMed
    1. Gullberg B, Johnell O, Kanis J A. World-wide projections for hip fracture. Osteoporos Int. 1997;7(05):407–413. - PubMed
    1. Liu J, Guo H, Rai P, Pinto L, Barron R. Medication persistence and risk of fracture among female Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int. 2018;29(11):2409–2417. - PubMed
    1. De Laet C, Odén A, Johansson H, Johnell O, Jönsson B, Kanis J A. The impact of the use of multiple risk indicators for fracture on case-finding strategies: a mathematical approach. Osteoporos Int. 2005;16(03):313–318. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources