Hip Fracture Management
Osteoporosis
How can my bones be strengthened?
Osteoporosis is a condition where your bones lose strength, making you more likely to break a bone than the average adult. Most people who break their hip have osteoporosis.
Non-medical ways to improve your bone health
Please click on the links to be taken to further advice:Eat well:
Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake. The government recommends you drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week.
Osteoporosis Medications
Please note that these osteoporosis treatments do not help in reducing pain caused by broken bones.
You will have been assessed by the doctors to start the right bone health medication for you.
For some patients, the following medications may not be appropriate for a variety of reasons. This will have been communicated to you and your GP in your discharge summary. Please refer to this.
If you're prescribed bone-strengthening treatment, you may need to continue your treatment over a number of years (usually at least 5 years) to protect against further fractures.
Please see below for links for information on each specific bone health medication:
This will either be administered as a single dose, usually given whilst you're an inpatient with us or alternatively, you will be referred to the Rheumatology bone clinic for ongoing annual doses annual. This will also be communicated in your discharge summary and a referral will have been sent upon you leaving the RUH.
Osteoporosis Helpline
There is a free osteoporosis helpline run by the Royal Osteoporotic Society.
Anyone can contact their free helpline for tailored information and support about osteoporosis and bone health. The service is provided by nurses with specialist knowledge of osteoporosis and bone health.
The Helpline is open Monday to Friday between 9.00am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 5:00pm.
Get in touch by calling 0808 800 0035 or emailing nurses@theros.org.uk (the aim to answer email and postal queries within ten working days).
The Helpline is free from UK landlines and mobiles. The Helpline is closed on Bank Holidays and during Christmas office closure.
Useful osteoporosis link:
Information for patients & public
National Osteoporosis Guideline Group