Fractures, including spine and hip fractures and bone health assessment
Fragility fractures can occur after a fall from standing height or another low-impact injury. Spine and hip fractures are particularly important because they may indicate underlying osteoporosis, reduced bone strength or a high risk of further fractures.
A fracture should not only be treated as an isolated injury. It can be an important warning sign that the skeleton needs specialist assessment and prevention planning.
Spine and hip fractures are among the most important fracture types in osteoporosis care.
A fragility fracture is a fracture that happens after a low-level injury, such as a simple fall, that would not usually break healthy bone. These fractures often occur because bone strength has been reduced by osteoporosis or another metabolic bone condition.
Vertebral compression fractures in the spine can cause back pain, height loss, posture change or reduced mobility, although some are only found on imaging. Hip fractures usually require urgent hospital and orthopaedic care, but they should also trigger a careful bone health review to reduce the risk of another fracture.
- Assessment after fragility fractures, spine fractures or hip fractures
- Review of DEXA scans, vertebral fracture imaging and fracture history
- Investigation of osteoporosis, vitamin D deficiency and metabolic bone disease
- Treatment planning to reduce future fracture risk
Fractures that need a bone health review
Any low-trauma fracture in an adult should prompt consideration of underlying bone strength. Spine and hip fractures are especially important because they can strongly influence future fracture risk and treatment decisions.
Spinal fractures
Vertebral compression fractures may cause back pain, height loss, posture change or muscle spasm.
Hip fractures
Hip fractures are serious injuries, more common in older people and people with osteoporosis.
Wrist fractures
Wrist fractures after a fall can be an early warning sign of reduced bone strength.
Pelvic fractures
Low-trauma pelvic fractures may be linked to osteoporosis or insufficiency fractures.
Rib and upper arm fractures
Some rib or humerus fractures can occur because of fragile bone, especially after minor injury.
Multiple fractures
More than one fracture, or fractures at unusual sites, should prompt a more detailed metabolic bone review.
Vertebral compression fractures
Spinal fractures can be caused by osteoporosis and may happen after little or no obvious injury. Symptoms may include sudden back pain, persistent aching, height loss, a curved spine or a change in posture.
Because some vertebral fractures are missed or mistaken for ordinary back pain, imaging and specialist bone health review can be important where symptoms or risk factors suggest a spinal fracture.
Hip fracture and future risk
A hip fracture usually needs urgent orthopaedic treatment and rehabilitation. Once the immediate injury has been managed, a bone health assessment is important to reduce the risk of further fractures.
Assessment may include DEXA scan interpretation, vitamin D and calcium review, fracture risk assessment, falls risk review and consideration of osteoporosis medication.
The aim is to heal well and reduce the chance of another fracture
Fracture recovery often involves several parts: orthopaedic management, pain control, rehabilitation, mobility support and wider bone health treatment. For fragility fractures, prevention of the next fracture is a key part of care.
Professor Keen's role is to assess the underlying bone health picture, identify treatable risk factors and advise on medication, monitoring and lifestyle measures to reduce future fracture risk.
Related treatments and services
Spine and hip fractures need careful assessment because they may indicate underlying osteoporosis, reduced bone strength or wider fracture risk. Specialist review can help identify contributing factors, guide treatment and reduce the risk of further fractures.
A specialist consultation after fragility fracture
Professor Keen will review your fracture history, DEXA scan results, spine imaging where relevant, medication history, vitamin D and calcium results, fall risk, family history and any previous osteoporosis treatment.
The consultation can help clarify whether osteoporosis or another bone condition contributed to the fracture and which treatment options may reduce the risk of future fractures.
Fracture and bone health questions
Common questions from patients after fragility fractures, spine fractures, hip fractures or low-trauma fractures.
What is a fragility fracture?
A fragility fracture is a broken bone caused by a low-level injury, such as a fall from standing height, that would not usually break healthy bone.
Does a fracture mean I have osteoporosis?
Not always, but a low-trauma fracture can be an important warning sign. A DEXA scan and specialist bone health review can help assess whether osteoporosis or another condition is present.
Are spinal fractures always painful?
No. Some spinal fractures cause sudden or persistent back pain, while others are found only when imaging is performed. Height loss or posture change can also be clues.
Why is bone health reviewed after a hip fracture?
A hip fracture can indicate a high future fracture risk. Bone health review helps identify osteoporosis, correct treatable risk factors and plan treatment to reduce further fracture risk.
When should I seek specialist advice?
Specialist advice is helpful after a low-trauma fracture, spinal fracture, hip fracture, repeated fractures, low bone density or uncertainty about osteoporosis treatment.
Arrange a specialist fracture and bone health appointment
If you have had a spine fracture, hip fracture, wrist fracture, pelvic fracture or any low-trauma fracture, please contact the practice to arrange a bone health assessment.
Contact details
For private appointments and general enquiries, please contact the office.