Falls and fragility fractures: the role of the community nurse

Every year over 300 000 people in England and Wales over the age of 50 sustain a fragility fracture.¹ This figure includes 66 668 hip fractures.² Fragility fractures are ‘fractures that occur after low trauma (equivalent to a fall from standing height or less), excluding skull, face, fingers and toes’.³

Fragility factures can be life changing. Around 30% of people who sustain a fragility fracture will not survive a year.¹ Sustaining a fragility fracture doubles the risk of having another fracture and that fracture is most likely to occur within two years.⁴ Around 50% of people require a walking aid for the first time following a fracture. Around 20% of people who sustain a fragility fracture will move to a care home.⁵