The aim of a Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) is to identify people at risk of fracture, investigate when required, and initiate appropriate bone strengthening medication as indicated. A fracture resulting from a simple fall is known as a “fragility fracture”, and usually indicates the presence of osteoporosis. Fractures as a result of osteoporosis are one of the leading healthcare costs across Europe and numbers are rising steeply. A recent Europewide scientific report on fragility fractures predicts that Ireland will see an increase in cases of ~ 58%, the highest of all EU countries because of ageing demographics (Scope 2021, Kanis). These fragility fractures cause great distress and disability for over 30,000 people annually in Ireland, and can impact survival. Despite highly effective treatments being available to manage osteoporosis and thus reduce the risk of fracture, only a minority receive these.
FLS provides a system for assessing people aged 50 years and over who sustain a fragility fracture, to diagnose osteoporosis and identify those most at risk of future falls and more serious fractures such as those of the hip or spine.
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