Cymraeg
From the age of 50, the risk of breaking a bone increases sharply.
Women are especially affected, with one in two experiencing a fracture during their lifetime.
After the first fragility fracture, the risk of further fractures rises significantly. This is known as the “fracture cascade”, often starting with wrist or forearm fractures in midlife and progressing to spine or hip fractures as people get older.
Fragility fractures can have a major impact on your life. They may lead to long‑term pain, reduced mobility, loss of independence, and higher risks to your overall health. The chance of breaking another bone is particularly high in the early years after the first fracture: 10% of people fracture again within one year, 18% within two years, and 31% within three years. This is why early assessment and treatment are essential.
The Fracture Liaison Service (FLS)
The Fracture Liaison Service is a programme supported by the Welsh Government to help prevent repeat fractures in people aged 50 and over.
The service identifies individuals who have had a fragility fracture, asses their bone health, and offers treatment and guidance to reduce future risk. FLS is recognised internationally as the gold standard in osteoporosis care and can reduce the risk of another fracture by up to 40%.
How does the FLS help?
To achieve the best outcomes, FLS focuses on three key areas:
- Early identification of fragility fractures
- Starting the right osteoporosis treatment
- Providing long‑term follow‑up and support
This coordinated approach helps people stay independent, improve quality of life, and reduce avoidable hospital admissions across Wales.
Signposting / additional information:
Falls Prevention
Activity and Exercise
Footwear
Self Care
Effects of Smoking
Healthy Drinking
Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP)
Royal Osteoporosis Society
Here you will find links to National Charities and Support Groups that may be helpful to you in managing your musculoskeletal problem.
Stories of Staying Active with Health Conditions – “We Are Undefeatable” is a collective movement supporting people with a range of long-term health conditions. The campaign is developed by 15 leading health and social care charities. Their purpose is to support and encourage finding ways to be active in a way that works for you and your health condition.”
A community of people providing support for people with arthritis across the UK. Arthritis UK provide information for people living with arthritis locally in ABUHB and across the UK, fund research into arthritis and support professionals. Arthritis UK provides help and information on arthritis, treatments and has a helpline (Monday-Friday)
Arthritis Action is the UK charity offering an integrated self-management approach, to help address the physical and mental health symptoms of living with arthritis. They provide help and advice to people living with arthritis
National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society is a charity focussed on transforming diagnosis and care of people living with axial SpA. The webpage gives advice and supported self help for people living with Axial Spondyloarthritis
National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society provide information and support services for those affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), their families, friends, carers and health professionals
Pain Concern – We work to improve the lives of people living with pain and those who care for them
Acknowledgement and Declaration
The information on bone health and osteoporosis has been prepared by Dr Inderpal Singh, National Clinician Lead, Bone Health Wales. This work has been co-produced through extensive discussions and partnership working with Welsh Government colleagues, key stakeholders, patients, FFFAP Clinical Leads, the Royal Osteoporosis Society, and colleagues across Welsh Health Boards.
This content is dully aligned with the Welsh Government Quality Statement for Osteoporosis and Bone Health, and reflects shared clinical priorities across Wales.
Dr Singh gratefully acknowledges the contributions of all partners who supported the development of this material. This work has been informed by collective expertise, patient experience, national data, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
