Hip Fracture Prevention Research
- In Canada, over 20,000 seniors suffer hip fractures annually and this number is
projected to rise dramatically. - About 20% of those who suffer a hip fracture die within 12 months, the majority
of those within 6 months. - About 50% of those who suffer a hip fracture lose their independence; hip
fractures often mark the tipping point between independent dwelling and residential care.
CHHM Challenge:
The key challenges in hip fracture prevention are accurate assessment of hip fracture risk and the design of effective interventions for prevention.
CHHM Solution:
Because hip fracture results from accidental falls onto brittle hip bones CHHM researchers are developing innovative strategies to prevent falls in vulnerable seniors and improve bone strength across the lifespan. The CHHM is the first research centre in the world to use this double-barreled approach to hip fracture prevention.
Improvement in Bone Strength
Targeted exercise programs can enhance bone health in children and adolescents. We are examining how this translates to stronger bones and reduced fracture risk with aging. CHHM research is also leading the way to develope better methods to determine bone strength through medical imaging (using CT or MRI) of architectural arrangement and density of bone.
Exercise Prescription
Exercise programs specific for the needs of at-risk, older adults are being studied to determine the types of exercise that enhance cognitive function and decrease the risk of falling. Effective and safe exercise programs can then be "prescribed."
Integrated Falls Clinic
Through a unique Integrated Falls Follow Up Clinic, CHHM researchers are creating a national template for diagnosing the cause of falls in seniors and directing patients to innovative, exercise-based interventions.
