Assess Your Risk with the Fracture Risk Calculator

Monday, 19 April 2010 20:27

Researchers have known for a while that bone density is just part of the picture in dealing with fractures. In fact, two people can have the same bone density, but one may end up with a broken bone, while the other does not.

The FORE Fracture Risk Calculator™ was developed by Dr. Bruce Ettinger and uses risk factors established by the World Health Organization, such as alcohol use, family history of hip fractures, and certain chronic diseases. It compares your risk with people like you (same gender, race/ethnicity) to calculate your expected risk of a fracture within the next 10 years. The calculator works best using bone density information, but can give good estimates without this information.

Click “calculate,” and an informative graph appears. You’ll see 1) your risk of a hip fracture and 2) your risk of a hip, wrist, shoulder, or spine fracture in the same 10 year period. Your risk appears on the graph as a small blue square, while expected risk at various age levels appears as a gray, dashed line. Risk levels are categorized as low (green), moderate (yellow) or high (red).

Age is a major factor that influences fracture risk level. At age 45, the incidence of hip fractures is low, increasing steadily with age; the average age for the largest number of hip fractures is about 81 but substantial numbers occur earlier and after that age... In contrast, wrist fractures among young women are common, accounting for nearly two thirds of all fractures.

Please note that the calculator is not designed to be used for people being treated with osteoporosis medication or for those who are less than 45 years old.