Bone mineral density in the distal radius in a healthy Japanese population and in relation to fractures of the distal radius.

Changes in bone mineral density with age were measured in the distal radius of healthy adults using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. A total of 2789 healthy women (20-95 years old) and 1255 healthy men (20-87 years old), and 72 women (52-94 years old) and 23 men (51-79 years old) with fractures of the distal radius were assessed. Bone mineral density remains relatively stable in men despite aging, and was significantly higher than in women in every decade. In women aged 70 years and more, the bone mineral density was significantly lower in the fracture group than the non-fracture group. In men with fractures of the distal radius, there were no significant differences between bone mineral density and age. In the fracture groups loss of radial inclination after reduction correlated with decreased bone mineral density, but there was no significant regression between bone mineral density and the decrease in radial length or palmar tilt.