Why fragile bone disease and not brittle bone disease?
Broken hips mostly affect the over-75s and often hasten death in this group. The root cause of broken hips in this age groups will be because their bones are osteoporotic. Broken hips are not only major cost to the NHS but rob older people of their independence, often leaving them unable to look after themselves without support and help. They leave people unable to carry out the same levels of tasks they achieved before the broken bone, they can cause increased disability and dependence on family, carers or the State. Up to half of all those who break a hip will not be able to walk unaided afterwards.
