Are women with thicker cortices in the femoral shaft at higher risk of subtrochanteric/diaphyseal fractures? The study of osteoporotic fractures.

ABSTRACT:

Context

Femoral shaft cortical thickening has been mentioned in reports of atypical subtrochanteric and diaphyseal (S/D) femur fractures, but it is unclear whether thickening precedes fracture or results from a preceding stress fracture and what role bisphosphonates might play in cortical thickening.

Objective

Our objective was to examine the relationship of cortical thickness to S/D fracture risk as well as establish normal reference values for femoral cortical thickness in a large population-based cohort of older women.

Design

Using pelvic radiographs obtained in 1986-1988, we measured femoral shaft cortical thickness 3 cm below the lesser trochanter in women in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. We measured this in a random sample and in those with S/D fractures

SUBMITTER: Napoli N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3387394 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature