Risk Factors for Hip Fracture

Risk Factors for Hip Fracture

A risk factor is anything that may increase a person's chance of developing a disease. It may be an activity, diet, family history, or many other things.

Different diseases have different risk factors. Although these factors can increase a person's risk, they do not necessarily cause the disease. For example, some people with one or more risk factors for a certain disease or condition never develop it, while others develop the disease or condition and have no known risk factors.

Knowing your risk factors to any disease can help to guide you into the appropriate actions, including changing behaviors and being clinically monitored for the disease.

Osteoporosis is the leading cause of hip fracture. Age is also a major risk factor. Other possible risk factors for hip fracture may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption
• Lack of physical activity
• Low body weight
• Tall stature
• Vision problems
• Dementia
• Medications that cause bone loss
• Cigarette smoking
• Institutional living, such as an assisted-care facility
• Increased risk for falls, related to conditions such as weakness, disability, or unsteady gait

There may be other risks depending upon your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your physician.