In elderly patients who fall, which statement is supported by evidence?

• A. Any fall in the elderly is considered to be high-energy trauma.
• B. Bilateral hip fractures usually occur when an elderly person falls.
• C. Elderly patients who fall usually have a secondary head injury.
• D. Osteoporosis can cause a fracture as a result of a fall from a standing position.

Answer: (D)

Older adults commonly have osteoporosis, which weakens bone and makes fractures possible after minimal trauma. A fall from standing height is a low-energy event, yet in someone with osteoporotic bone it can still cause a fracture, such as a hip fracture. This is why the statement that osteoporosis can lead to a fracture from a fall from standing position is supported by evidence. In contrast, not every fall in the elderly is high-energy trauma, bilateral hip fractures are uncommon, and while head injuries can occur after a fall, they are not the typically expected or universal outcome. The key idea is that fragility fractures from low-energy falls are a hallmark of osteoporosis in older adults.