Fractures of the distal forearm in Newcastle: an epidemiological survey

The incidence of fractures of the distal radius and ulna in a defined adult population was studied over one year. Freezing temperatures were usually associated with a fourfold increase in fracture incidence, but there was no other seasonal trend. Incidence in men showed no relation to age. In women incidence rates increased sharply between the age groups 40-44 and 55-59 years and then continued to rise less steeply until ages 65-69 after which rates stabilized at a lower level. This pattern contrasts with the age- and sex-specific incidence of fractures of the proximal femur and of falls at post-retirement ages, and supports the hypothesis that one cause of fractures of the proximal femur in old age is failure of protective reflexes.

Increasing incidence of forearm fractures. A comparison of epidemiologic patterns 25 years apart

During 1980 and 1981, 1914 fractures of the distal forearm occurred in Malmö, Sweden. The age-specific incidence peaked in childhood and there was a large increase in women after the age of 50; in men there was a smaller increase after the age of 70. In comparison with the Alffram & Bauer (1962) study of the same population in 1953-57, the age-specific incidence in elderly women and men has almost doubled. There was almost the same incidence of shaft fracture of the ulna or radius as 25 years ago.

Arthrosis in the elbow joint of young rapidly growing dogs. VII. Occurrence in the Rottweiler breed

The author has previously shown that lesions of the coronoid process are the most common reason for elbow lameness and osteophyte formation of the elbow joint in the Rottweiler and other larger breeds. To get more information regarding the elbow status of the Rottweiler breed, 207 dogs were radiographically investigated. Of these, 66 dogs were admitted because of elbow lameness, while 141 dogs more than 12 months of age, had never revealed foreleg lameness. Osteophyte formation was found in one or both elbow joints in 89.4% of the lame dogs and in 68.1% of the dogs free from lameness. When trying to elucidate the probability of inheritance, the dogs were grouped according to the elbow status of the parents. The results indicate that the percentage of lame offspring and offspring affected by osteophyte formation increases according to increase in affected elbow joints of the parents. Inherited disposition for lesions of the coronoid process is therefore suggested. Prophylactical criteria are discussed.

Limb fractures in a defined population. I. Frequency and distribution

This population-based study revealed that 2,519 limb fractures occurring during a 3-year period produced an age-adjusted incidence rate for all limb fractures of 1,596 per 100,000 person-years. Fractures of the upper limb had a bimodal age distribution and were commoner than those of the lower limb, which had a J-shaped age distribution. The most frequent anatomic site was the lower end of the radius and ulna. Limb fractures occurred as solitary events in 93% of cases; only 4% were classified as open and more than half of the total were closed and undisplaced. Fractures were distributed evenly throughout all time periods of the day. The commonest place of fracture occurrence was the home, and the most important direct cause was falls, particularly in females. A wide range of sports activities were a major source of fractures, particularly in younger males. Underlying bone pathology was uncommon, other contributory causes being more important, particularly in the elderly. The increased ratio of metaphyseal to diaphyseal fractures with age indicated a relative loss of cancellous bone in the elderly, but no evidence was found to suggest that elderly women had reduced resistance of bone to impact forces in comparison with elderly men.

Bone status and fracture rates in two regions of Yugoslavia

Bone status and fracture rates were evaluated in two Yugoslav populations with very different dietary habits. In district A (Podravina) the daily calcium intake was about twice that in district B (Istra). There were similar but smaller differences in the intakes of other nutrients. In district B metacarpal cortical width was reduced in all age groups of both sexes but the difference tended to decrease with age. The proximal femur fracture rate was higher in district B than district A but there was no difference between the forearm fracture rates in the two districts. Our results confirm that bone mass at any age is clearly the result of age and sex and most probably other genetically determined factors but also show that this expression is nutrition related. The data suggest that nutrition (in particular the calcium intake) is an important determinant of bone mass in young adults but seems to have little effect on age-related bone loss in either males or females. The main determinant of cortical bone mass in the elderly seems to be the cortical bone mass in middle life. The proximal femur fractures of old people reflect declining cortical bone mass but the distal forearm fractures of middle-aged women are unrelated to cortical bone mass or nutritional status.