Falls as risk factors for fracture
26.1 Introduction Falls are one of the most common health concerns facing older adults today. About one-third of community-dwelling persons over the age of 65 years and nearly one-half of…
Impact of physical characteristics and lifestyle factors on bone density and fractures
27.1 Physical characteristics 27.1.1 Gender For most types of osteoporosis-related fractures, women are at greater risk than men . In a worldwide study of fractures in 2000, there were 9.0…
Biomechanics of hip and vertebral fractures
16.1 Introduction Age-related fractures represent an immense and increasing public health issue. In the United States in 2005, there were an estimated 2 million age-related fractures, with associated medical expenditures…
Geographic variability in the incidence of hip and vertebral fractures
20.1 Introduction Osteoporosis, a disease of old age, is documented to date back to the Bronze age . The demographic explosion, increased life expectancy, global urbanization, and the obesity epidemic…
Epidemiologic methods in studies of osteoporosis
17.1 Introduction This chapter was developed to assist readers with critical evaluation of published research studies, choice of study design in addressing a research question, and understanding of basic epidemiologic…
The mechanical behavior of bone
13.1 Introduction Bone is the primary load-bearing component of the musculoskeletal system, protecting vital organs and providing a framework for locomotion. Its resilient and durable nature is due to its…
Nutrition and osteoporosis
21.1 Introduction There are substantial pragmatic difficulties in assessing the impact of nutrition in osteoporosis. Bone health and strength are generally stable and subject mostly to long-term exposures. While it…
Cellular and molecular mechanotransduction in bone
14.1 Introduction Bone apposition and resorption are constantly occurring processes that enable bones to adapt structurally by optimizing their shape and size to meet the physical requirements of their external…
The regulatory role of matrix proteins in mineralization of bone
8.1 Introduction The skeleton is essentially responsible for providing not only structural support and protection to the body’s organs but also for serving as a reservoir for calcium, magnesium, and…
Phosphatonins
10.1 Introduction The biological role of phosphorus in humans and other organisms’ physiology is diverse. Phosphorus is essential for the proper function of a multitude of systems. In addition to…
