Osteoporosis and Fragility Fracture Assessment

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become less dense and more fragile, increasing the risk of fractures from falls or even minor bumps that would not break a healthy bone. It is common - particularly in women after the menopause and in older men - but often goes undetected until a fracture happens.

Fractures caused by osteoporosis, known as fragility fractures, most commonly affect the wrist, hip and spine [1]. A hip fracture in particular can have a lasting impact on independence, mobility and quality of life. The reassuring news is that osteoporosis can usually be managed well, and fracture risk can be significantly reduced with the right combination of treatment, calcium and vitamin D, lifestyle measures and falls prevention.

At LivingCare, osteoporosis assessment forms part of our consultant-led Geriatric and Memory service in Sheffield. Our approach considers bone health alongside falls risk and wider health, because in older adults osteoporosis and falls are closely linked.

What the Assessment Includes

Your consultant carries out a thorough review of your bone health and the factors that affect your fracture risk. A typical assessment covers:

• Review of your fracture history, including any previous low-trauma fractures and how they were managed
• Formal fracture-risk assessment using validated clinical tools such as FRAX [2], developed at the University of Sheffield and endorsed in national guidance [3]
• Assessment of secondary causes of osteoporosis, including vitamin D deficiency, thyroid disease and medication effects
• Review of your current bone-protection medication and how well it is working
• A falls-risk assessment, considered together with your bone health
• Discussion of treatment options, including lifestyle measures, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and medication where appropriate
• Referral for bone-density (DEXA) scanning where indicated, arranged through our imaging and scanning services
• A written report to you and, with your consent, your GP, with clear recommendations

Who Should Consider an Assessment?

An osteoporosis assessment may be helpful if you recognise yourself in any of the points below. This service is suitable for anyone who:

• Has been told they have osteoporosis or osteopenia and wants a specialist review
• Has had a low-trauma fracture - a fracture that happened with minimal force, such as a fall from standing height or less
• Is concerned about bone health because of family history, early menopause or long-term steroid use
• Is currently taking bone-protection medication and has questions about long-term use or side effects
• Has had a recent fall and wants a combined review of bone health and falls risk

If falls or balance are your main concern, our falls and balance assessment in Sheffield looks at fracture risk and fall prevention together.

What to Expect and Your Bone-Health Plan

Your appointment is unhurried and led by a specialist consultant.

Before your appointment: it helps to bring a list of your current medications and any details of previous fractures or bone-density results.

During your appointment: your consultant reviews your history, examines you where needed, and works through your fracture risk using FRAX [2] and other validated tools. You will have time to ask questions and talk through what your results mean.

Your bone-health plan: you leave with a clear, personalised plan. This sets out any recommended treatment, lifestyle and supplement advice, falls-prevention measures, and whether a DEXA bone-density scan or further investigation is needed. Where scanning is indicated, your consultant arranges referral through our imaging services. A written report goes to you and, with your consent, your GP so everyone involved in your care is kept informed.

Why Choose LivingCare for Osteoporosis Assessment in Sheffield

Our osteoporosis assessment is delivered by specialist consultants at our clinic at Canon Medical Arena, Sheffield. You get prompt access to an expert opinion - no GP referral needed, self-pay.

What sets our service apart is the joined-up approach. Rather than looking at bone health in isolation, we consider your fracture risk, your falls risk and your wider health together, as part of our Geriatric and Memory service in Sheffield. For older adults, that whole-person view is often what turns a diagnosis into a plan that genuinely protects independence.

References

1. NHS - Osteoporosis: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoporosis/
2. FRAX Fracture Risk Assessment Tool, University of Sheffield / WHO Collaborating Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases: https://frax.shef.ac.uk/frax/tool.aspx
3. NICE CG146 - Osteoporosis: assessing the risk of fragility fracture: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg146