Clinical fractures cluster in time after initial fracture.

A history of fractures is a well recognised risk factor for a new clinical fracture. However, this subsequent fracture risk is not constant, but fluctuates over time, with the greatest increase in the years immediately after the initial fracture, followed by a gradual waning of risk toward the population risk. The clustering of fractures occurred regardless of age, gender and initial fracture location. It is therefore likely that fracture risk models, which take into account this fluctuation of fracture risk over time, will be more relevant in predicting an individual's subsequent fracture risk. Regardless of the cause of this clustering, these studies all strongly support the need for early action after an initial fracture to reduce the preventable risk of subsequent fractures with medical interventions that have been shown to immediately decrease the risk of fractures.