Bone mineral density of the radius in patients with Colles' fracture

To ascertain whether patients with Colles' fracture I should be investigate d for osteoporosis and the risk of future fractures, we measured the bone m ineral density of the distal radius of the other arm in 31 women patients a nd compared the results with those of a control group of 289 normal women. We divided the patients into two groups, those younger than 66 years and th ose older. In 25 patients we found values for bone mineral density which we re lower than one standard deviation below the mean value for their age. Yo unger patients had a deficit greater than that expected for their ages. We believe that women with Colles' fracture should be evaluated routinely for osteoporosis, particularly if they are under 66 years of age.