Fractures shorten life expectancy.
A study of 30,000 women and men in Denmark, led by Jack Cush, M.D, found that a fracture, any fracture, increased that patient’s 10-year mortality risk—but that the risk of death was highest in the first year after the fracture.
Cush is the director of clinical rheumatology at the Baylor Research Institute and a professor of medicine and rheumatology at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.
The study, which followed the subjects for at least 10 years indicated excess mortality following all proximal and lower leg fractures, most of which occurred in the first year, with the risk declining thereafter.
Hip fractures had the highest excess mortality. It was 33% higher in men and 20% higher in women at 1-year post-fracture, according to a report in Med Page Today.
The mortality risk was not limited to hip fractures, the researchers said. They noted that it had been previously thought that mortality risk following fracture was primarily related to age, or immobilization complications such as pneumonia or thromboses that was associated with the surgery or hospitalization.
The authors concluded that a wide variety of fragility fractures may contribute to long-term excess mortality.
Wow, I never knew that fractures could shorten one’s life expectancy. I think my sister is at risk because she had a hip fracture. I’ll tell her to get herself treated soon since she’s at her postmenopausal stage already so she won’t suffer any mortality risks.
My sister broke her neck last year. She’s 50 and Black w no other health issues. She recovered and is living a normal life.
Does aging plus such an injury lead to early death?
In the past 11 years, I have had 5 lower limb fractures, the first when I was 49. The thoughts of being permanently disabled by these fractures are actually scarier to me than early death, as I have had to battle ill-health all my life and despite my concerted efforts, the only breaks I get are the very ones I don’t want!
In 1999 I was crushed in a car wreck. Around 40 bones were broken, compressed, or cracked I’m 69 just started heart issues. Where do I stand in morbidity.
In 2019 my lumbar broke.. they put in kyoplasty in all 5
70s later the cheat 12 broke.. relax and I kept breaking I have a total of 11 broken vertebraes with kyoplasty.. My back fell down 3 1/2 inches and my organs are crammed together and the bottom part of my lungs do not work. So it’s hard to breathe. I have pain every day.. they put a spine stimulator in.. I had to learn to sit up and walk again.. I’m now 68
How are you doing now?
Did they give you pain meds for the spinal fractures?