Characterization of Preceding Fragility Fractures in Patients With Hip Fractures: A Retrospective Analysis of 200 Cases

Main Article Content

Nadia Gabotto Loredo
Gonzalo M. Viollaz
Lucio Gutiérrez
Joaquín Swinnen
Germán Garabano
Melina Saban
Álvaro J. Muratore
Diego J. Gómez
Alejandro Tedeschi
Gustavo J. Teruya

Abstract

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by decreased bone density that increases the risk of fractures, particularly in older adults. The objectives of this study were to document the frequency of fragility fractures preceding a hip fracture, the prevalence of each type of fracture, and the percentage of patients diagnosed and treated for osteoporosis prior to sustaining a hip fracture.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in patients aged >65 years who underwent surgery for hip fracture between 2022 and 2023 at a single site, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Variables analyzed included age, sex, fracture type and treatment, prior diagnosis of osteoporosis, and the anatomical sites of preceding fragility fractures.
Results: Two hundred patients were included (159 women and 41 men; mean age 83.04 years). Sixty patients (30%) had sustained a fragility fracture before the hip fracture. The most common locations were the contralateral hip (9%), spine (8%), and distal radius (6.5%). Of these patients, 48.33% had a prior diagnosis of osteoporosis.
Conclusions: Thirty percent of patients experienced fragility fractures (also referred to as sentinel fractures) prior to a hip fracture. Implementing preventive strategies for diagnosis and treatment in this population is crucial to reduce the risk of subsequent fractures and improve quality of life.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

How to Cite
Gabotto Loredo, N., Viollaz, G. M., Gutiérrez, L., Swinnen, J., Garabano, G., Saban, M., Muratore, Álvaro J., Gómez, D. J., Tedeschi , A., & Teruya, G. J. (2025). Characterization of Preceding Fragility Fractures in Patients With Hip Fractures: A Retrospective Analysis of 200 Cases. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 90(6), 525-529. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2025.90.6.2110
Section
Clinical Research
Author Biographies

Nadia Gabotto Loredo, Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Gonzalo M. Viollaz, Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Lucio Gutiérrez, Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Joaquín Swinnen, Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Germán Garabano, Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Melina Saban, Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Álvaro J. Muratore, Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Diego J. Gómez, Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Alejandro Tedeschi , Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Gustavo J. Teruya, Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Upper Limb Surgery Team, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

References

1. Giannoudis PV, Schneider E. Principles of fixation of osteoporotic fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2006;88(10):1272-8. https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.88B10.17683

2. Long G, Liu C, Liang T, Zhang Z, Qin Z, Zhan X. Predictors of osteoporotic fracture in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis. J Orthop Surg Res 2023;18(1):574. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-023-04051-6

3. McCarthy CJ, Kelly MA, Kenny PJ. Assessment of previous fracture and anti-osteoporotic medication prescription in hip fracture patients. Irish J Med Sci 2022;191(1):247-52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-021-02571

4. Ward CM, Gullborg EJ, Simcock XC. The orthopedic upper extremity surgeon’s role in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis: Making use of opportunistic imaging. J Clin Med 2024;13(17):5095. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13175095

5. Cianferotti L, Porcu G, Ronco R, Adami G, Alvaro R, Bogini R, et al. The integrated structure of care: evidence for the efficacy of models of clinical governance in the prevention of fragility fractures after recent sentinel fracture after the age of 50 years. Arch Osteoporos 2023;18(1):109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-023-01316-9

6. Valentin G, Ravn MB, Jensen EK, Friis K, Bhimjiyani A, Ben-Shlomo Y, et al. Socio-economic inequalities in fragility fracture incidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 61 observational studies. Osteoporos Int 2021;32(12):2433-48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-021-06038-7

7. Lauritzen JB, Schwarz P, McNair P, Lund B, Transbøl I. Radial and humeral fractures as predictors of subsequent hip, radial or humeral fractures in women, and their seasonal variation. Osteoporos Int 1993;3(3):133-7. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01623274

8. Dang DY, Zetumer S, Zhang AL. Recurrent fragility fractures: A cross-sectional analysis. J Am Acad Orthop Surg
2019;27(2):e85-e91. https://doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-D-17-00103

9. Clinton J, Franta A, Polissar NL, Neradilek B, Mounce D, Fink HA, et al. Proximal humeral fracture as a risk factor for subsequent hip fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2009;91(3):503-11. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.G.01529

10. Haentjens P, Autier P, Collins J, Velkeniers B, Vanderschueren D, Boonen S. Colles fracture, spine fracture, and subsequent risk of hip fracture in men and women. A meta-analysis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2003;85(10):1936-43. https://doi.org/10.2106/00004623-200310000-0001

11. Port L, Center J, Briffa NK, Nguyen T, Cumming R, Eisman J. Osteoporotic fracture: missed opportunity for
intervention. Osteoporos Int 2003;14(9):780-4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s0019 8-003-1452-x