Dr Phil Kieran: Could my teenage son have brittle bones? 

"Bones are robust and light, but given the right impact, they can and do break. This force depends on the bone in question, the person’s age, and the type of impact."

Pic: iStock

My son, aged 15, fell off his bike three months ago and broke his arm. He was treated quickly in hospital and has made a full recovery. He has a good diet but does little exercise besides the cycle to and from school every day. Is there a possibility that he has brittle bones?

I’m glad to hear he made such a good recovery. Children often recover well from broken bones, frequently only breaking halfway through. Your question about bone strength is an interesting topic and one I spend a lot of time talking to young people about.