Bone mineral density of the radius in patients with Colles' fracture.

To ascertain whether patients with Colles' fracture should be investigated for osteoporosis and the risk of future fractures, we measured the bone mineral density of the distal radius of the other arm in 31 women patients and compared the results with those of a control group of 289 normal women. We divided the patients into two groups, those younger than 66 years and those older. In 25 patients we found values for bone mineral density which were lower than one standard deviation below the mean value for their age. Younger patients had a deficit greater than that expected for their ages. We believe that women with Colles' fracture should be evaluated routinely for osteoporosis, particularly if they are under 66 years of age.