Prevent Broken Bones

Poor bone health can lead to breaking a bone. This can have a big impact on the individual, their family or carer, and is a serious medical consequence of having osteoporosis.

Important to know

• Undiagnosed osteoporosis places a person at greater risk of breaking a bone.
• Adults 50 years or over who have broken a bone from a minor bump or fall should be investigated for underlying osteoporosis.
• Broken bones can occur in patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia. A fracture combined with low bone density (T-score -1.5 or lower) would generally require treatment.
• Not everyone diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia will break a bone (this is good news!) However, approximately half of all fractures occur in people with low bone density in the osteopenic range.
• A fracture (generally a medical term) and a broken bone are essentially the same thing. Doctors will focus on the location and severity of the break

Breaking a bone due to poor bone health is considered a serious medical emergency. This typically requires a visit to the hospital emergency department (and may involve an ambulance) admission to hospital for surgery, hospital stay, rehabilitation and home care. Diagnosed osteoporosis can be treated and managed to reduce risk of further fractures. There are a range of treatment options available.

How common are broken bones related to poor bone health?

Common fracture sites include hip, spine, wrist, arm, leg, ankle and rib.

Hip fracture remains the most serious and costly type of fracture. Studies have shown up to half of all hip fracture patients had a prior fracture and many of these were related to undiagnosed osteoporosis.

Healthy Bones Australia is focused on reducing the number of broken bones in the community and protecting bone health in Australia. Take steps to protect your bones and speak to your doctor.