Alcohol, Falls and Fractures

Due to the effects of alcohol on balance and gait, alcoholics tend to fall more frequently than the general population. Heavy alcohol consumption has been associated with an increased risk of fracture, including hip fracture. An analysis of alcohol use in an arm of the Framingham study concluded that heavy alcohol consumption increased hip fracture risk in both men and women. As expected, older alcoholics are at substantially greater risk of fractures than younger alcoholics.

Vertebral fractures, which tend to be uncommon in individuals under fifty years of age, are more prevalent in those younger than fifty who abuse alcohol. Additionally, alcohol consumption is linked to other types of fracture, including those of the wrist and ribs.

Content Courtesy : www.osteo.org
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