Despite fractures of the wrist being widely regarded as "fragility fractures", there is good evidence that they are caused by diminished Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and that a low BMD value predicts a higher fracture risk at the distal radius. Both measurements of areal BMD with DXA and volumetric BMD with peripheral Quantitative Computer Tomography (pQCT)showed a lower BMD in women with Colles' fractures. Thus, Colles' fractures can be recognized as a good indication of underlying osteoporosis. High resolution peripheral Quantitative Computer Tomography at the distal radius will be evaluated in a subset of patients.
Clinical experts are concerned that osteoporosis increases the risk for poor outcomes and complication rates in surgical patients with osteoporosis. However, this has not yet been confirmed in clinical studies. It is important to investigate this question in order to correctly advise clinicians and patients and possibly develop tailored approaches for treatment of osteoporotic patients with distal radius fractures.
