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      • Graduate Theses and Dissertations
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      • HARVEST
      • Electronic Theses and Dissertations
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      MUSCULOSKELETAL STRENGTH, FALL AND FRACTURE RISK IN EARLY POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

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      CROCKETT-DISSERTATION.pdf (7.071Mb)
      Date
      2015-10-13
      Author
      Crockett, Katie L.
      Type
      Thesis
      Degree Level
      Doctoral
      Metadata
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      Abstract
      Purpose: To evaluate the course of recovery in fall-risk and functional status over the first year following a distal radius fracture (DRF), and evaluate differences in fall and fracture risk factors in women over the age of 50 years with a DRF compared to their non-fractured peers. Methods: Two cohorts of participants volunteered in two sub-studies of the thesis. The first was seventy-eight women recruited from a DRF Clinic within the first week after their fracture, and followed up in concert with standard clinic appointments at week three, nine, 12, 26, and 52 post-fracture. The second cohort consisted of women aged 50 years or older, with and without a recent distal radius fracture, being at least 6 months post-DRF, but no more than 2 years post-fracture. Seventy-seven women age 50-78 with (Fx, n = 32) and without (NFx = 45) a history of DRF were assessed on two occasions within 4 weeks apart using a battery of fall and fracture risk tools, including balance, mobility, gait speed, fracture risk assessment, as well as bone quality assessment using peripheral quantitative computer tomography (pQCT) and dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results: Fall-risk status (strength, balance, mobility) gradually improved over the first year post-fracture, with balance confidence remaining high even immediately post-fracture. In the second study, women with a recent DRF, compared to women without, demonstrated higher fall and fracture risk. Women with a recent DRF had lower bone and muscle strength in both the upper and lower extremities compared to the non-fractured controls, with no differences in DXA derived aBMD at the femoral neck or spine. Significance of findings: The results of these studies will help clinicians understand the normal course of functional recovery post-fracture, and assist in determining appropriate fall risk assessment and interventions for post-menopausal women at risk of fragility fracture. Results demonstrate the importance of studying women at risk of DRF as an important first indicator of bone fragility and risk of future fracture. These findings also strengthen the notion that DXA alone may not be the best predictor for fracture risk.
      Degree
      Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
      Department
      Medicine
      Program
      Health Sciences
      Supervisor
      Arnold, Cathy; Kontulainen, Saija
      Committee
      Farthing, Jonathan; Bath, Brenna; Chilibeck, Philip
      Copyright Date
      September 2015
      URI
      http://hdl.handle.net/10388/ETD-2015-09-2246
      Subject
      distal radius fracture
      bone strength
      muscle strength
      fall risk
      postmenopausal
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      • Graduate Theses and Dissertations
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