A strange TikTok theory has been making the rounds by insisting there is a hidden reason some people go through life without ever breaking a bone. The idea frames fractures as a sign of missing “spiritual protection” or carrying “bad karma,” while the never fractured crowd supposedly has a kind of invisible shield. It is a neat story for the internet, especially if you have watched friends collect casts like souvenirs while you have somehow escaped. Doctors say the real explanation is a lot less mystical and far more practical.
When people talk about having “glass bones” or “bones of steel,” they are often describing patterns that can feel almost unfair. Someone slips on a curb and ends up in a boot for weeks, while another person takes a hard fall and walks away sore but fine. That gap makes it easy for conspiracy style explanations to catch on, because they turn randomness into meaning. But medical experts point out that fracture risk is not a cosmic lottery. It is influenced by a blend of inherited traits, aging, and daily habits.
Dr Suhail Hussain has pushed back on the idea that your odds are determined by anything supernatural, saying they are not “random” or “down to divine protection.” In his view, the biggest starting point is genetics, because your skeleton comes with a blueprint you did not choose. He explains, “Bone strength is largely inherited. That includes how dense your bones are, how well your body processes calcium, and even how your skeleton is built.” That can show up in subtle ways, like naturally lower bone density or a frame that is less resilient under impact.
Hussain adds that some bodies are simply more vulnerable in the same way some people are more prone to sprains or certain injuries. “Some of us are naturally more prone to thinner bones — and those can snap more easily under pressure,” he said. That does not mean a person is destined to break something, but it does mean the margin for error can be smaller. Even family history matters, and the Royal Osteoporosis Society notes fracture risk can be higher if a parent has had a hip fracture. This is the kind of unglamorous explanation that rarely goes viral, even though it is the one that holds up.
Age is the next major piece, and it sneaks up on people who still feel invincible. Doctors point out that bone density tends to decline after about age 30, which means the same fall at 35 can be a different story than it was at 20. Dr Claire Merrifield, a general practitioner and medical director at Selph, explains that menopause can raise fracture risk for women because estrogen helps protect bone strength. “As women go through menopause and lose the protective effect of oestrogen, bones become more brittle and can break from much less force, such as fall from small height,” she said. That shift helps explain why certain fractures become more common later in life, even for people who have always been active.
Then there is lifestyle, which is the part people can actually change without rewriting their genetics. Merrifield emphasizes the basics that support bone strength, and she points to diet and movement as everyday protection. “It’s essential to eat enough calcium, take vitamin D in winter and take part in exercise with force, things like strength training, running, dancing and jumping are all great for this,” she advised. Hussain also flags smoking, heavy drinking, and inactivity as habits that can tilt the odds in the wrong direction. “Lifestyle plays a huge role in whether or not you’ll suffer a fracture one day. In fact, there is probably more you can do to protect yourself from this phenomenon than you realise,” he said.
Put together, the doctors’ message is that people who have never broken a bone are not necessarily blessed by fate. They may have inherited stronger bone density, reached adulthood without high impact accidents, or maintained habits that keep their skeleton resilient. On the flip side, someone who has had multiple fractures is not automatically reckless or unlucky, because their baseline risk could be higher for reasons they cannot see. The viral theory feels personal, but the real story is more like a checklist of risk factors that build over time. If anything, the takeaway is empowering because it suggests there are steps that matter.
Bones are living tissue, not static sticks, and they are constantly being broken down and rebuilt through a process called remodeling. Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become weaker and more fragile, which raises the chance of fractures from minor falls or everyday impacts. Weight bearing and resistance exercises help by signaling the body to maintain bone strength, while nutrients like calcium and vitamin D support the structure that keeps bones durable. Hormones also play a major role, which is why menopause can change bone health so quickly and why medical advice often focuses on prevention before problems start. If you keep hearing the “never broken a bone” theory online, it may be a useful reminder to think about your own risk factors and what you can do to strengthen your bones over time.
What do you think is the biggest reason some people seem to avoid fractures for life, genetics, lifestyle, or pure luck, share your thoughts in the comments.
