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Updated: Jan 30, 2026
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Method and Instrumented Fixture for Femoral Fracture Testing in a Sideways Fall-on-the-Hip Position
Published on: August 17, 2017
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Spinal fractures incurred by a fall from standing height.
Samuel Hall1, Matthew A Myers1, Ahmed-Ramadan Sadek1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Wessex Neurological Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom; Division of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom.
Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery
|January 15, 2019
Summary
Falls from standing height commonly cause spinal fractures in the elderly, leading to significant mortality. This study found 16.3% of spine fractures resulted from falls, with higher mortality in older patients and those with comorbidities.
Area of Science:
- Traumatology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Falls from standing are a prevalent issue, especially in the aging population, often leading to mobility, proprioception, and vision decline.
- Fragility fractures, including vertebral fractures, frequently complicate falls, carrying substantial morbidity and high mortality rates, sometimes indicating a pre-terminal state.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and outcomes of spinal fractures resulting from falls from standing height in a major trauma center.
- To analyze patient demographics, injury characteristics, management, and mortality associated with fall-related spinal fractures.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of the Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN) database was performed.
- Patients admitted between January 2011 and December 2016 with a spinal fracture confirmed to be from a fall from standing height were included.
- Data collected included demographics, Injury Severity Score (ISS), Charlson comorbidity score, treatment, complications, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Out of 1408 spine fractures, 229 (16.3%) were due to falls from standing height.
- The average age of these patients was 76.6 years, with 58.5% being female.
- Mortality within 6 months was 18.7%, significantly increasing with age and comorbidity score.
Conclusions:
- Spinal fractures from falls represent a significant portion (one-sixth) of major trauma center spinal service workload.
- While many cases are managed conservatively, these fractures have considerable implications for hospital resource utilization and patient survival.
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