One in four men aged over 80 will have
fractured a bone, but many of these go
unnoticed.
Image: iStockphoto

Many bone fractures in older Australian men are not being picked up or treated. Even small fractures are an indicator of underlying osteoporosis and a warning that a more serious life threatening break may be on the way.

The findings were presented on 22 March 2009 at an international bone health meeting in Sydney. Almost 1000 clinicians, researchers and international experts in bone health will attend the meeting.

The CHAMP study of over 1700 older men in Sydney study has used bone density testing and scans of the spine to assess bone health and fracture history.

The first results from the major study have revealed that many fractures go undetected and untreated. The study found that one in four of the men aged over 80 years had had some form of bone fracture in their back.

Researcher Kerrin Bleicher, from the University of Sydney, commented that "Small fractures in the back can occur in older men from simple actions such as bending over, picking up a grandchild, slipping and falling. The man may feel some back pain but not realise he has a fracture."

Having even a relatively minor osteoporotic fracture increases the likelihood of further major and life threatening breaks such a hip fracture. Further, the consequences of a hip fracture are often more serious for men than for women.

The study also found that one in four of men aged over 70 were eligible for Medicare supported treatments for osteoporosis.  However less than 1 in 10 of those eligible, for supported treatment, was actually receiving it.