Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
12:04
Assessment of Bone Fracture Healing Using Micro-Computed Tomography
Published on: December 9, 2022
Clinical fractures cluster in time after initial fracture
Tineke A C M Laurs-van Geel1, Jacqueline R Center, Piet P Geusens
1Maastricht University/Caphri, Department of General Practice, Maastricht, The Netherlands. T.Laurs-vanGeel@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Maturitas
|October 8, 2010
Summary
A prior fracture significantly elevates the risk of a new fracture, especially in the initial years post-injury. Early medical intervention after an initial fracture is crucial to mitigate this heightened, yet preventable, subsequent fracture risk.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Epidemiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- A history of fractures is a recognized risk factor for subsequent clinical fractures.
- The risk of a new fracture after an initial fracture is not static and fluctuates over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the temporal fluctuation in fracture risk following an initial fracture.
- To emphasize the need for timely interventions to reduce subsequent fracture risk.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of fracture history as a predictor of new fractures.
- Observation of fracture clustering patterns across demographics and fracture types.
Main Results:
- Subsequent fracture risk peaks in the years immediately following an initial fracture.
- Fracture clustering is observed irrespective of patient age, gender, or the initial fracture site.
- Risk gradually wanes over time, approaching population-level risk.
Conclusions:
- Fracture risk models should incorporate temporal fluctuations for improved prediction.
- Early medical intervention after an initial fracture is essential to reduce preventable subsequent fractures.
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