Fragility Fracture Care Program

Fragility fractures can dramatically change the quality of life for patients and their families due to a loss of independence, significant disability and even death.

To help patients gain back their quality of life following a fragility fracture, Andrews Institute for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine established the Fragility Fracture Care program. Our dedicated team provides a customized, comprehensive post-fracture health care plan and serves as primary advocates to ensure that appropriate action is taken to provide proper follow-up fragility fracture care, and almost just as important, reduce the risk of future fractures.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, a fragility fracture is any fall from a standing height or less that results in a fracture. Such fractures occur most commonly in the hip, spine (vertebral) and wrist (distal radius).

Normally, our bones should be able to sustain a fall from this height without a fracture unless there is some underlying cause to suspect a bone disorder, such as osteoporosis or osteopenia, that weakens our bone structure.

Fragility fractures are fairly common and affect up to one-half of women and one-third of men older than the age of 50 and most often are associated with low bone density.

During the next 20 years, an estimated 450 million people will celebrate their 65th birthday, which makes a large percentage of our population susceptible to fragility fractures.

Pain, suffering and health care costs can be enormous for all fracture patients, particularly those with hip fractures. Some studies have shown that patients with fragility fractures have a higher mortality rate than for most cancers. However, proper fragility fracture patient care, including follow-up treatment, can reduce the risk of future fractures by up to 50%. Follow-up care typically includes evaluation with appropriate labs and scans, as well as treatment specifically tailored to each patient’s needs. Working closely with the patient’s family physician and family members ensures the best possible outcome for the patient.