2.2.2 Osteoporosis and fragility fractures
Osteoporosis is associated with increased fracture risk, because the reduction in bone strength makes the bones less able to withstand increased load.
When a bone fractures because of minor trauma, such as a fall from standing height or lower (or even simply from a twisting or bending movement or from coughing) it is known as a fragility fracture.
The most common fragility fracture sites are the hip, spine and wrist, although the humerus and pelvis are also frequently affected and any bone can fracture because of osteoporosis. In Parkinson’s, hip fractures are more common, probably because of falling without the protection of outstretched hands.
Any fragility fracture is associated with an increased risk of future fracture. This is true even for asymptomatic vertebral fractures found incidentally (for instance, on a CT scan of the chest).
People with Parkinson’s are more likely to have osteoporosis than others of their age and sex. To understand why, we need to look at the causes of osteoporosis in the general population.
2.2.1 Quantifying osteoporosis