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Updated: Jun 11, 2025
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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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Patella fractures are associated with bone fragility - a retrospective study
Isabella Rosillo1, Carmen Germosen1, Sanchita Agarwal1
1Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, United States.
Summary
Patella fractures in elderly women are linked to bone fragility, similar to forearm fractures. These findings suggest patella fractures warrant skeletal evaluation for osteoporosis.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Gerontology
- Radiology
Background:
- Patella fractures are not typically classified as osteoporotic fractures.
- Elderly women with patella fractures may have underlying skeletal fragility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare bone mineral density and microstructure in elderly women with patella fractures versus those with forearm fractures and controls.
- To determine if patella fractures are associated with skeletal fragility.
Main Methods:
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) were used.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) and microstructural parameters were assessed.
- A multiethnic population-based cohort in New York City was studied.
Main Results:
- Women with patella fractures showed reduced tibial mechanical competence and trabecular deterioration, similar to those with fragility forearm fractures.
- Both fracture groups exhibited lower volumetric BMD and altered microstructure at the radius and tibia compared to controls.
- Forearm fracture group had lower areal BMD at multiple sites and lower trabecular bone score (TBS).
Conclusions:
- Patella fractures in elderly women are associated with significant skeletal fragility.
- These findings support the need for skeletal evaluation in patients with patella fractures.
- Patella fractures share characteristics with established osteoporotic fractures regarding bone quality.
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