Suominen TH, Edgren J, Salpakoski A, et al. - Researchers investigated the correlations of physical function and lean body mass (LBM) with loss of bone density and strength in older people recovering from a hip fracture. They performed 1-year prospective follow-up study of 81 over 60-year-old, community-dwelling men and women operated for a hip fracture. The participants were assessed for distal tibia total volumetric bone mineral density (vBMDTOT, mg/cm³) and compressive strength index (BSI, g²/cm⁴) and mid-tibia cortical vBMD (vBMDCO, mg/cm³) and bending strength index (SSI, mm³) in both legs using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at baseline (on average 10 weeks after fracture) and at 12 months. At baseline, they measured LBM with a bioimpedance device and physical function with the Short Physical Performance Battery and perceived difficulty in walking outdoors. Outcomes revealed risk for greater decline in tibia bone properties during the first post-fracture year among older hip fracture patients with low physical function and lower LBM. They suggest that accounting the risk factors may assist in developing interventions and care to improve bone health and overall recovery.