Which sites are most commonly affected by osteoporotic fractures?

Which sites are most commonly affected by osteoporotic fractures?

• A. Ankle, knee, and shoulder.
• B. Skull, clavicle, and ribs.
• C. Vertebrae and pelvis.
• D. Spine, hip, and wrist.

Answer: (D)

Osteoporosis weakens bone so fractures occur most often in areas that bear weight or are subject to common falls, especially bones rich in trabecular (sponge-like) bone. The spine is affected frequently because vertebral bodies lose trabecular bone and can collapse with even low-energy stresses, leading to vertebral compression fractures that may heighten kyphosis and cause back pain. The hip is another major site because proximal femur fractures (neck or intertrochanteric region) commonly result from falls in older adults and carry significant morbidity. The wrist, typically a distal radius fracture from a fall on an outstretched hand, is also a classic osteoporotic fracture due to the same underlying bone loss. While fractures can occur in many bones, these three—spine (vertebrae), hip (proximal femur), and wrist (distal radius)—are the most characteristic and commonly observed in osteoporosis, making them the best answer.

Osteoporosis weakens bone so fractures occur most often in areas that bear weight or are subject to common falls, especially bones rich in trabecular (sponge-like) bone. The spine is affected frequently because vertebral bodies lose trabecular bone and can collapse with even low-energy stresses, leading to vertebral compression fractures that may heighten kyphosis and cause back pain. The hip is another major site because proximal femur fractures (neck or intertrochanteric region) commonly result from falls in older adults and carry significant morbidity. The wrist, typically a distal radius fracture from a fall on an outstretched hand, is also a classic osteoporotic fracture due to the same underlying bone loss.

While fractures can occur in many bones, these three—spine (vertebrae), hip (proximal femur), and wrist (distal radius)—are the most characteristic and commonly observed in osteoporosis, making them the best answer.