Fragility Fracture Treatment

At Mayo Clinic Healthcare, our specialists provide expert assessment and personalised fragility fracture treatment for people who have experienced a fracture following a minor fall or injury, or who are concerned about osteoporosis and their future fracture risk.

Your consultant will first take time to understand your fracture history, general health, medications and risk factors before recommending appropriate investigations, which may include blood tests, imaging or a bone density scan. Mayo Clinic Healthcare offers specialist care and advanced diagnostic testing in central London.

A fragility fracture is a broken bone that occurs following a low-level injury that would not normally be expected to cause a fracture. This may include a fall from standing height or less, or sometimes an apparently minor movement or impact. Fragility fractures are commonly associated with osteoporosis, although not everyone who has a fragility fracture will have osteoporosis.

The most common sites are the hip, wrist and spine. Fragility fractures can also affect other bones, including the upper arm, pelvis and ribs.

A fragility fracture can be an important warning sign that your bones may have become weaker. Having one fracture also increases the likelihood of experiencing another, so assessment of bone health and future fracture risk is an important part of comprehensive care.
The symptoms depend on which bone has fractured and the nature of the injury. They may include:

Sudden pain following a minor fall, movement or impact

Swelling, bruising or tenderness around the affected area

Difficulty standing, walking or putting weight on a limb

Difficulty moving an affected arm or leg

Persistent or sudden back pain, which may be associated with a spinal fracture

Loss of height or a change in posture, which can occur following vertebral fractures

Osteoporosis itself does not usually cause symptoms until a fracture occurs. For some people, a fragility fracture is the first indication that their bones have become weaker.
You should seek prompt medical assessment if you have significant pain or difficulty using a limb following a fall or minor injury, particularly if you are unable to stand or walk normally.

If you have experienced a fracture following a relatively minor injury, it is also important to discuss your bone health with a healthcare professional. A fragility fracture may indicate an increased risk of further fractures and may warrant a fracture risk assessment and investigation for osteoporosis.

This is particularly important following fractures of the hip, wrist, spine or upper arm, or if you have other risk factors for osteoporosis.
Fragility fractures usually occur because the bone has become less able to withstand normal mechanical forces. Osteoporosis is an important cause because it reduces bone strength and makes fractures more likely.

However, bone strength is influenced by several factors. These can include:

Age. Bone density and strength generally decrease with age.

Menopause. The reduction in oestrogen associated with menopause can accelerate bone loss.

Previous fractures. Having had a fragility fracture increases your risk of another fracture.

Family history. A parent with a hip fracture can increase your risk of osteoporosis and fracture.

Low body weight. A low body mass index can be associated with increased fracture risk.

Certain medicines. Long-term corticosteroid treatment is an important risk factor.

Smoking and higher alcohol intake. Both can adversely affect bone health.

Reduced physical activity. Lack of weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening activity can contribute to reduced bone strength and increased falls risk.

Other medical conditions. Some hormonal, inflammatory, gastrointestinal, kidney and other conditions can affect bone health.

Fragility fractures are therefore not simply a consequence of aging. A specialist assessment can help identify potentially modifiable risk factors and determine whether osteoporosis or another condition may be contributing to reduced bone strength.
The initial assessment will depend on the suspected fracture.

X-rays are commonly used to identify broken bones. Further imaging, such as CT or MRI, may be recommended when an X-ray does not provide enough information or when a more detailed assessment is required. Once the fracture has been identified, your consultant may also assess your underlying bone health and future fracture risk.

What tests may be used for fragility fractures and osteoporosis?

Depending on your circumstances, your consultant may recommend:

Fracture risk assessment that looks at your individual risk of breaking a bone in the future, helping to identify whether you may be at higher risk and need further support or treatment.

DEXA bone density scan to measure bone mineral density, usually at the hip and spine. A DEXA scan is quick, painless and uses a low dose of X-rays.

Blood tests to assess aspects of your general health and investigate possible underlying causes of reduced bone strength where appropriate.

X-rays or other imaging to identify fractures, including vertebral fractures that may not have been recognised previously.

Further specialist investigations if your medical history suggests that another condition or medication may be contributing to bone loss.

A DEXA scan is an important part of osteoporosis assessment for many people, but the result is not considered in isolation. Your age, previous fractures, medical history and other risk factors are also taken into account when deciding whether treatment is appropriate.
The appropriate fragility fracture treatment depends on the bone affected, the severity and stability of the fracture, your general health and your risk of further fractures.

Treatment may include:

Pain management. Appropriate pain relief can support recovery and help you begin moving safely.

Immobilisation or support. Some fractures can be managed using a splint, cast, brace or other support while the bone heals.

Physiotherapy and rehabilitation. A tailored rehabilitation programme can help restore movement, strength, balance and confidence following a fracture.

Osteoporosis treatment. If your fracture is associated with osteoporosis or you are considered to have a sufficiently high risk of future fracture, your specialist may recommend medication to strengthen your bones and reduce future fracture risk.

Calcium and vitamin D. Your diet and vitamin D status may be reviewed, with supplements recommended where clinically appropriate.

Falls prevention. Strength and balance exercises, medication review and assessment of your home or lifestyle may help reduce the risk of future falls.

Mayo Clinic Healthcare does not provide surgical treatment, but our specialists will assess your fracture, explain your treatment options and help coordinate the appropriate next steps. Where surgery is required, we can advise on referral to a suitable specialist or hospital for treatment.
If osteoporosis has contributed to a fragility fracture, treating the underlying bone weakness is an important part of preventing further fractures. Fragility fracture treatment decisions are based on your overall fracture risk rather than bone density alone.

Medicines used to reduce fracture risk include bisphosphonates and other bone-strengthening treatments. The most appropriate option will depend on factors such as your previous fractures, bone density, age, other medical conditions, kidney function, medicines and individual circumstances.

Your specialist can discuss the expected benefits, possible side effects and practical considerations associated with each appropriate treatment option.

The aim of treatment is therefore not simply to help the current fracture heal. It is also to understand why the fracture occurred and reduce your risk of experiencing another fracture in the future.
Fragility fractures can involve more than the immediate injury. Understanding bone health, future fracture risk, mobility and the factors contributing to osteoporosis can require expertise from more than one specialty.

At our central London clinic, you can benefit from:

Consultant-led specialist assessment

Personalised investigation and treatment planning

Access to advanced diagnostic testing

A multidisciplinary approach when your care involves several specialties

Expertise across conditions affecting bone, endocrine and musculoskeletal health

Access to the wider expertise of the Mayo Clinic network when appropriate

This approach allows your care team to consider both the fracture itself and the underlying health of your bones, helping to develop a treatment plan tailored to your circumstances and future health needs.

Private health insurance

Mayo Clinic Healthcare works with all major private health insurance providers, including AXA PPP, Aviva, BUPA, Health Partners Group, Vitality Health and WPA. Self-pay arrangements are also available.

Private assessment

If you have experienced a fracture following a minor fall or injury, have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or would like to understand your future fracture risk, our specialists can provide a personalised assessment in Central London.

Our multidisciplinary approach combines specialist clinical expertise with access to advanced diagnostic testing, helping your care team develop an appropriate plan for fragility fracture treatment, osteoporosis management and fracture prevention.

Request an appointment or call +44 (0) 207 871 2575.

Medically Reviewed by

Dr Anna Nuttall, Consultant Rheumatologist