The Epidemiology of Fractures Caused by Falls Down Stairs
Table 2
Fracture types from falls down stairs or standing in all ages.
Fracture type
Falls down stairs
Falls from standing
Odds ratio
P value (chi-sq)
(n)
(%)
Mean age (yrs)
(n)
(%)
Mean age (yrs)
Upper limb
Clavicle
11
4.2
60.1
106
2.8
57.9
1.6
0.2
Scapula
7
2.7
65
23
0.6
60.4
4.6
0.002
Proximal humerus
17
5.4
65.3
417
10.8
70.7
0.6
0.02
Humeral diaphysis
3
1.2
57
43
1.1
63.8
1.0
0.8
Proximal radius
14
4.6
43.1
153
3.9
49.1
1.4
0.4
Proximal ulna
7
2.7
57
44
1.1
63.7
2.4
0.04
Ulnar diaphysis
3
1.2
59
12
0.3
45.5
3.9
0.07
Distal radius/ulna
53
20.5
53.6
803
20.9
65.5
1.0
0.9
Carpus
4
1.5
27
84
2.2
45.5
0.7
0.7
Metacarpal
11
4.2
40.4
132
3.4
48.9
1.2
0.6
Finger phalanges
7
2.7
52.3
154
4
56.9
0.7
0.4
Lower limb
Pelvis
4
1.5
72
80
2.1
82.6
0.7
0.8
Proximal femur
19
6.2
77.7
770
20
81
0.3
<0.001
Femoral diaphysis
3
1.2
81.7
60
1.6
77.9
0.7
0.8
Patella
4
1.5
61
41
1.1
60.9
1.4
0.5
Proximal tibia
4
1.5
58
42
1.1
64.8
1.4
0.5
Tibial diaphysis
2
0.8
38
23
0.6
56.6
1.3
0.4
Distal tibia
2
0.8
31.5
18
0.5
54.7
1.6
0.1
Ankle
49
18.5
56.4
414
10.8
54.2
1.9
<0.001
Calcaneus
5
1.9
48.8
8
0.2
50.3
9.7
<0.001
Talus
2
0.8
30
10
0.3
52
3.0
0.04
Midfoot
7
2.7
44.4
15
0.4
47.1
6.9
<0.001
Metatarsal
12
4.2
45.7
280
7.3
66.8
0.6
0.1
Toe phalanges
11
4.2
37.3
14
0.4
49.5
12.0
<0.001
The number (n) and frequency (%) of upper and lower limb fracture types encountered in Edinburgh adults resulting from falls down stairs or falls from standing height are shown. The mean age of those affected is shown. Calculated odds ratios (with P values, chi-square tests) represent the likelihood of a given fracture type resulting from a fall down stairs, rather than a fall from standing. Odds ratios in bold type reflect those demonstrating either statistical significance or a trend towards significance.
