Osteoporosis Clinic

In the UK 1,100 individuals die every month following a hip fracture alone.  We think this is unacceptable when many of these fractures can be prevented.

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become fragile and if not prevented or treated, can progress painlessly until a bone breaks.

Osteoporosis is common
There are over 300,000 osteoporosis related fractures in the UK per year, yet many fractures can be prevented by treatment.   The bones in our skeleton are made of a thick outer shell and a strong inner mesh filled with collagen (protein), calcium salts and other minerals.  The bone structure is lattice-like.  Osteoporosis occurs when the spokes of the lattice thin and break.  Although osteoporosis usually affects the whole skeleton, the most common fractures are in the wrist, spine and hip.

Key facts about osteoporosis

  • 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men in the UK will have osteoporosis over the age of 50
  • Every 3 minutes, someone has a fracture due to osteoporosis
  • An estimated 3 million people in the UK suffer from osteoporosis
  • Each year there are over 70,000 hip fractures (projected to be over 110,000 in 2016), 50,000 wrist fractures and 40,000 spinal fractures from osteoporosis
  • Osteoporosis costs the NHS and government over £2.2 billion each year or £6 million each day

Reference:  National Osteoporosis Society

How likely are you to have a fracture – use WHO FRAX Tool to estimate your 10 year fracture risk:  FRAX

If you think you or your family are at risk of osteoporosis or have osteoporosis; there are several new treatments to reduce the risk of future fractures and complications.

Please email nush@arthritiscentre.org or call 01892 741 127 to arrange a clinic appointment.