A recent analysis of several studies found no reduction in risk of hip fracture with calcium supplementation by itself.
Hip fractures are the most frequent and severe fractures among the elderly, and experts estimate the average cost of care at $29,000 per patient. Increased calcium intake is still commonly recommended as a single fracture prevention strategy.
According to authors of the analysis, future studies of fracture prevention should focus on the best combination of calcium plus vitamin D, rather than on calcium supplementation alone.