Prognosis for a Broken Arm With Osteoporosis

A person's bones are the framework of his or her life. The bones support the body by giving it structure and protecting the internal organs. If a person with osteoporosis is not careful with his or her fragile bones, osteoporosis can lead to fractures that limit the ability to move, walk and do other activities.

Prognosis

• The ulna, radius and humerus are the three bones of the arm that can sustain a fracture. X-rays are taken to pinpoint the location and determine the extent of the fracture.

Causes

• People with osteoporosis are more susceptible to fractures of the arm because the bones are more brittle. Even a minor fall or a simple pull of the arm can result in a broken arm in older adults with osteoporosis.

Treatment

• Treatment of a fracture in the arm depends upon the severity of the injury. The initial treatment is splinting the injured arm to immobilize the joints above and below the injury to prevent movement of the fracture site. According to comsumerreports.org, without treatment, 12 in 100 people with osteoporosis will break a bone in the next two years.

Prevention

• The only way a person with osteoporosis can prevent an arm fracture is to be cautious in their daily activities.

Complications

• With osteoporosis present, a fracture that extends into a joint can cause arthritis there years later.