Scientists have revealed which men are more likely to have a hip fracture

Vertebral fractures and calcification of the abdominal aorta can be visualized using the same method.

A new study of 5365 older men shows that each of these factors is associated with a higher risk of hip fractures and other fractures.

The researchers found that including both measures, rather than just one, improved the ability to predict which men were most likely to have a hip or other fracture in the future.

"Both abdominal aortic calcification and vertebral fracture can be detected simultaneously and rapidly on standard radiographs or lateral bone density imaging of the spine, and this may aid in the assessment of fracture risk in older men who have one or both risk factors," says the lead author. Dr. John T. Showsbaugh of the University of Minnesota.