Rochedale Family Practice
Bone health, osteoporosis and preventing falls
Understand fracture risk, bone-health assessment and practical ways to support strength, balance and safer movement.
Osteoporosis can make bones more likely to fracture, sometimes after a minor fall. Risk depends on age, previous fractures, medicines, medical conditions, menopause, family history, nutrition, smoking, alcohol, activity and other factors. Assessment and treatment are individual.
At a glance
- Discuss any low-trauma fracture or repeated fall.
- Ask whether a fracture-risk or bone-density assessment is appropriate.
- Include safe strength, balance and weight-bearing activity.
- Review nutrition, medicines, vision and home hazards.
- Do not stop osteoporosis treatment without a plan.
Prepare for a bone-health review
- List previous fractures and falls.
- Note height loss or persistent back pain.
- Bring medicines and supplements.
- Mention family history, menopause and relevant conditions.
- Bring previous bone-density results if available.
Your GP may review
- Fracture and falls history.
- Medicines and medical risk factors.
- Strength, balance, nutrition and vitamin D risk.
- Whether bone-density testing, blood tests or referral is appropriate.
When to book a GP review
- A fracture followed a minor fall or everyday movement.
- You have lost height or developed persistent unexplained back pain.
- You have repeated falls, dizziness or worsening balance.
- A medicine or condition may increase bone loss.
- You are considering calcium or vitamin D supplements.
- An osteoporosis dose has been missed or treatment may be stopped.
Review regularly
- Continue treatment as prescribed.
- Report falls, fractures and new concerning pain.
- Review exercise and home-safety needs as circumstances change.
Emergency advice
Seek urgent assessment after a fall if you cannot stand or bear weight, have severe hip or back pain, hit your head while taking blood-thinning medicine, or have new weakness or numbness. Call 000 for a medical emergency.
Rochedale Family Practice is not an emergency service.
Bone health, osteoporosis and preventing falls
Understand fracture risk, bone-health assessment and practical ways to support strength, balance and safer movement.
For adults concerned about osteoporosis, fractures, falls or maintaining bone strength as they age.
Osteoporosis can make bones more likely to fracture, sometimes after a minor fall. Risk depends on age, previous fractures, medicines, medical conditions, menopause, family history, nutrition, smoking, alcohol, activity and other factors. Assessment and treatment are individual.
Key Actions
At a glance
- Discuss any low-trauma fracture or repeated fall.
- Ask whether a fracture-risk or bone-density assessment is appropriate.
- Include safe strength, balance and weight-bearing activity.
- Review nutrition, medicines, vision and home hazards.
- Do not stop osteoporosis treatment without a plan.
Care
Prepare for a bone-health review
- List previous fractures and falls.
- Note height loss or persistent back pain.
- Bring medicines and supplements.
- Mention family history, menopause and relevant conditions.
- Bring previous bone-density results if available.
Activity
Your GP may review
- Fracture and falls history.
- Medicines and medical risk factors.
- Strength, balance, nutrition and vitamin D risk.
- Whether bone-density testing, blood tests or referral is appropriate.
Know the reasons to review bone health
A fracture after a minor fall, loss of height, unexplained back pain, prolonged glucocorticoid treatment or significant risk factors should prompt review.
Osteoporosis often has no symptoms until a fracture occurs. A GP may use a fracture-risk assessment and decide whether bone-density testing or other investigations are appropriate.
Build strength, balance and bone loading safely
Weight-bearing activity, resistance exercise and balance practice can support bone and reduce falls risk. The right type and intensity depend on fracture risk, pain, mobility and health conditions.
If osteoporosis, vertebral fractures, repeated falls or major limitations are present, ask for an individual exercise plan rather than copying a generic high-impact program.
Review nutrition, medicines and falls risks
Adequate protein, calcium and vitamin D matter, but supplements are not automatically needed and can cause harm or interact with treatment. Discuss individual requirements.
Medicines causing dizziness or sedation, vision, footwear, home hazards, continence, blood pressure and strength may all affect falls. Do not stop prescribed medicines without advice.
Follow treatment and monitoring plans
Osteoporosis medicines differ in how they are taken, monitored and stopped. Some should not be delayed or ceased without a planned alternative.
Attend treatment reviews and dental or pathology checks advised for your medicine. Report new thigh, groin, jaw or severe back pain promptly.
Contact
When to contact the practice
Book a GP review
- A fracture followed a minor fall or everyday movement.
- You have lost height or developed persistent unexplained back pain.
- You have repeated falls, dizziness or worsening balance.
- A medicine or condition may increase bone loss.
- You are considering calcium or vitamin D supplements.
- An osteoporosis dose has been missed or treatment may be stopped.
Follow-Up
Review regularly
- Continue treatment as prescribed.
- Report falls, fractures and new concerning pain.
- Review exercise and home-safety needs as circumstances change.
Next Actions
Next steps
Related
Related patient information
Care at Rochedale
Related care at Rochedale Family Practice
External Resources
Authoritative links
- Healthy bones opens in a new tabHealthdirect Australia
Bone health, osteoporosis risk, exercise and medical assessment.
- Falls opens in a new tabHealthdirect Australia
Causes, assessment and practical falls prevention.