Long-term observations on the loss of bone mineral following colles' fracture.
Seventy-four women were studied at various points in time between 1 month and 12 years after a fracture of the distal end of the radius--Colles' fracture. In 50 cases the maximum loss of bone after fracture was considered to have taken place in that more than 4 months had elapsed since the accident. The bone mineral content was measured in both forearms with gamma absorptiometry. It was demonstrated that the degree of post-traumatic osteoporosis, calculated as the difference between the values obtained for the injured and the uninjured arms, decreased with time. The difference between the arms was greater in peri- and early postmenopausal and in very old women suggesting that these groups had lost more bone and/or been less able to restore lost mineral with time.
D000368:Aged; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism*; D003100:Colles' Fracture / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011884:Radius; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014457:Ulna
D008903:Minerals