Preventing Wrist Injuries in Senior Citizens
The primary cause of broken bones in seniors is accidental falls. In fact more than 2.5 million seniors need to seek emergency room treatment every year for a fall-related injury. And, according to the CDC, 20 percent of senior falls result in serious injuries such as broken bones.
As the Bloomfield Hills area’s top hand doctors, we have treated many seniors who have suffered broken wrists as a result of a fall. In this article we discuss how to help prevent wrist injuries in seniors.
Statistics on Wrist Injuries in Seniors
Wrist injuries among seniors represent a significant and growing health concern, with epidemiological data revealing alarming prevalence rates. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls result in approximately 3 million emergency department visits among older adults annually, with wrist fractures accounting for roughly 17% of all fall-related fractures in this population. This translates to over 500,000 wrist injuries requiring medical intervention each year among Americans over age 65.
The demographic distribution of these injuries shows notable patterns, with women experiencing wrist fractures at nearly three times the rate of men in the same age group. This disparity largely stems from the higher prevalence of osteoporosis among older women, with studies indicating that approximately 30% of postmenopausal women exhibit bone density values low enough to significantly increase fracture risk. The economic impact is equally substantial, with the average cost of treatment for a distal radius fracture exceeding $16,000 when including surgical intervention, rehabilitation, and associated care needs.
Recovery statistics present additional concerns, as seniors face longer healing times and more complications than younger adults with similar injuries. Research published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery indicates that only 73% of seniors over age 70 regain their previous level of independence following a wrist fracture, with many experiencing permanent limitations in activities of daily living. Additionally, seniors with wrist fractures demonstrate a 50% higher likelihood of sustaining another fall within the following year, creating a potentially dangerous cycle of injury.
These sobering statistics highlight the critical importance of prevention strategies and early intervention for senior patients. Hand specialists like Dr. Rehman emphasize that understanding these demographic trends allows for targeted preventive care and creates opportunities to implement protective measures before injuries occur.
Cause of Senior Wrist Injuries
Falls represent the predominant cause of wrist injuries among seniors, accounting for approximately 87% of all wrist fractures in this population. The mechanism typically involves an outstretched hand during a forward fall, creating a compression and bending force that exceeds the structural integrity of the distal radius and associated structures. This instinctive protective reaction—extending the arms to break a fall—directs substantial force through the relatively vulnerable wrist joints. Unfortunately, it is a natural reflex when taking a tumble to try and “break” one’s fall with an outstretched hand. And when the hand or arm bear the brunt of a fall, the delicate bones in the wrist can easily fracture or “break”. But scientists and hand doctors have recently begun to study the most important question: what causes seniors to fall in the first place? The answer may surprise you.
While poorer eyesight, or less muscle strength may play a part, gerontology researchers have identified the factor that leads to the vast majority of elderly wrist fractures as poor balance. A recent study published doctors from the Washington University School of Medicine in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, have determined that decreased balance in senior citizens is what leads to most falls.
In that study, senior citizens who had suffered a wrist fracture sometime after age 65 were compared to a control group that had not sustained a broken wrist. The researchers found that seniors who had sustain a wrist fracture at some point had much poorer balance compared than those who had never had a wrist fracture.
Environmental hazards in the home also significantly contribute to fall-related wrist injuries. Analysis of fall incidents reveals that throw rugs, poor lighting, uneven surfaces, and obstacles in walkways collectively account for over 60% of indoor falls resulting in wrist trauma. Outside the home, irregular pavement, weather conditions like ice or rain, and inadequate handrails or support structures present additional hazards for older adults.
Age-related physiological changes predispose seniors to both increased fall risk and greater injury severity when falls occur. Deterioration in proprioception (position sense), decreased reaction time, vision impairments, and balance disorders all contribute to fall frequency. Simultaneously, reduced bone density, thinner cortical bone, and changes in collagen structure decrease the wrist’s ability to absorb impact forces without structural failure.
Medication side effects and interactions represent another significant risk factor, with certain drug classes notably increasing fall risk. Research indicates that psychotropic medications, cardiovascular drugs causing orthostatic hypotension, and sedatives or hypnotics can increase fall risk by 20-60% in seniors. Dr. Rehman advises senior patients to regularly review their medication profiles with their primary care physicians to identify and mitigate these potential risks.
Preventing Senior Wrist Injuries
Studies have uncovered the fact that most seniors with weak balance were not being evaluated or given tools to help balance and stability. Startlingly, less than 10% of the seniors who had fallen received any recommendations from their treating physicians for balance training and physical therapy. The end recommendation from these studies is that seniors should be evaluated and given treatment for balance deficiencies in order to prevent all types of breaks resulting from falls.
Without being given the resources for improving balance and stability, people over age 65 will continue to be more susceptible to falling – and suffering broken bones.
Improving Bone Density in Seniors
Nutritional strategies play a fundamental role in maintaining and potentially improving bone density among seniors. Adequate calcium intake—ideally 1,200mg daily for women over 50 and men over 70—provides the essential building blocks for bone mineralization. This calcium should be paired with sufficient vitamin D (800-1,000 IU daily) to enable proper absorption and utilization. Research demonstrates that consistent adherence to these nutritional guidelines can slow bone loss and reduce fracture risk by 15-30% in seniors with osteopenia or osteoporosis.
Weight-bearing exercise represents perhaps the most effective intervention for improving bone density in the upper extremities of seniors. Activities that place controlled stress on the wrist and forearm, such as modified push-ups against a wall, light dumbbell exercises, and resistance band work, stimulate osteoblast activity and bone remodeling. Studies show that seniors engaging in structured resistance training 2-3 times weekly for six months demonstrate measurable improvements in forearm bone mineral density, with average increases of 1-3% even among those with pre-existing osteoporosis.
Medication therapy may be appropriate for seniors with significantly compromised bone density or previous fragility fractures. Bisphosphonates, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), denosumab, and anabolic agents like teriparatide offer various approaches to slowing bone loss or actively building new bone tissue. These pharmacological interventions can reduce wrist fracture risk by 30-70% in high-risk populations, though they require careful patient selection and monitoring by experienced healthcare providers.
Early intervention proves crucial, as hand specialists like Dr. Rehman emphasize that prevention yields better outcomes than treatment. Dr. Rehman recommends bone density screening for all women over 65 and men over 70, with earlier testing for those with additional risk factors. This proactive approach allows for implementation of bone-strengthening interventions before density decreases to fracture-risk levels, potentially preventing the significant functional impairment and decreased quality of life associated with wrist fractures in seniors.
Top Bloomfield Hills Hand Doctor
If you are suffering from an injury or pain in your fingers, wrist, elbow or arm, contact board certified Bloomfield Hills hand doctor, Dr. Rehman for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation. As with most medical conditions, early detection and treatment – and a good a prevention plan – is the most effective way to combat wrist fractures – especially in senior citizens.
Doctor Rehman will assess your individual situation, and prescribe the treatments that are best for your condition.
