Fracture liaison service — Canterbury

The fracture liaison service team helps people aged over 50 who have broken a bone due to a bump, fall, or stumble from standing height.

On this page

Contact us

To contact the fracture liaison service:

Where to find us

The fracture liaison service is at:

Burwood Hospital
Level 2 Administration
255 Mairehau Rd
Christchurch

Services we provide

Bones that are broken due to a bump, fall, or stumble from standing height are called ‘low trauma’ or ‘fragility’ fractures. These types of fractures can indicate bone diseases like osteoporosis.

If you have already broken a bone because of osteoporosis:

  • the chance of breaking another bone doubles — especially in the next year
  • it is essential that you are diagnosed and treated quickly to prevent further fractures
  • it is important to avoid another fall.

Your doctor or specialist will fix the fracture, but the fracture liaison service will:

  • assess your bone health
  • help you reduce the risk of suffering another fracture, especially a devastating hip fracture.

What we do

  • We will assess your medical history and lifestyle to find out if you could have osteoporosis or be at risk of developing it.
  • If you are under 75, we may suggest that you have a bone density scan (often called a Dexa).
  • We will check your level of risk regarding falls by looking at things like your strength, balance, vision, and medications.
  • We may discuss starting bone protection treatment with you or recommend that you discuss this with your doctor.
  • We will give you personalised information about what you can do to reach and maintain good bone health and reduce your chances of having another fracture or fall.

Referral information

Referrals are accepted from any healthcare provider.

Inclusion criteria for our service is:

  • person is over 50 years of age
  • fragility or low trauma fracture (defined as equivalent to a fall from a standing height or 1 metre)
  • fracture of the wrist, neck of humerus, hip, pelvis, vertebrae
  • inpatients, outpatients, and patients that present in the community.

Exclusion criteria:

  • fracture of the skull, hands and feet
  • fracture due to high trauma or metastasis or other bone pathology
  • periprosthetic fracture.

Send a referral (for health professionals use only)