As we age, our bones can become more fragile, making fractures even from minor incidents – like a simple fall – more likely.
These are known as fragility fractures, and with Australia’s aging population, they’re becoming increasingly common. In 2017 alone, the cost of fractures across the country was estimated at $3.44 billion.
Traditionally, doctors assess fracture risk by measuring bone mineral density (BMD), which is the measure of how much calcium and other minerals are packed into a section of your bone. BMD provides important information, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.
Researchers from Deakin University’s Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) are exploring a different approach. Their research focuses on Hip Structural Analysis (HSA), a technique that measures the shape and structure of bones, specifically in the hip, to see how these factors influence the risk of fractures.
By analysing bone health data from this study, focusing on from women aged 40 to 94, the team aims to determine whether precise measurements from hip scans – such as bone thickness and its resistance to bending or buckling – can offer a more reliable way to predict fractures.
Project lead, Dr Kara Anderson says their goal is to find ways to identify women at risk earlier and more accurately, helping to improve bone health and support healthy aging.
‘While other fracture prediction tools can identify individuals at high risk, they often miss those who fall just below this threshold.’
‘As a result, current prediction methods tend to underestimate the true number of fractures and may provide a skewed picture of overall risk.’
Dr Anderson suggests that looking at bone shape and structure like the buckling ratio, which measures how likely a bone is to bend, or break could provide important clues about fracture risk that go beyond standard bone density tests.
‘When combined with other techniques, such as analysing the tiny details of bone microstructure, these insights could make it easier to predict fractures more accurately,’
‘This could lead to better care and prevention strategies for people at risk of fractures. However, more research is needed to confirm how practical and effective these methods are in real-world settings’ Dr Anderson says.
This study draws on data from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study, a collaborative project with Barwon Health that has been running for over 30 years.
