Diane Alder, a 58-year-old nurse, was shocked to discover she had osteoporosis after suffering a fractured wrist and forearm from a fall on New Year’s Day. Despite leading an active lifestyle, Alder had never broken a bone before and initially thought her injuries were the result of an unfortunate accident.
During her recovery, Alder was contacted by the Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) to schedule a bone density scan. This service, funded by ACC, was a great help to Alder, providing her with valuable information about osteoporosis and how to manage her condition.
Alder’s accident occurred when she slipped on water that had spilled from her dogs’ bowls, causing her to fall and break her wrist. Despite the pain and inconvenience of her injury, Alder returned to work as a nurse three weeks later, albeit on light duties.
The Fracture Liaison Service, established in June 2022, has been recognized as a valuable community asset, earning the Silver Star rating accreditation from the International Osteoporosis Foundation’s Capture the Fracture program. The service aims to prevent repeat fractures, identify osteoporosis, and reduce falls and fractures within the region.
Since its inception, the service has identified 785 people over the age of 50 with fragility fractures in the Taranaki region. Of these, 530 have received treatment recommendations and over 57 percent have started osteoporosis-specific treatment within 16 weeks of identification.
Osteoporosis is a chronic condition that weakens bones, making them brittle and increasing the risk of fractures. In 2023, ACC accepted over 173,000 new claims for fall-related injuries from adults aged over 65, costing $345 million for recovery assistance. Without preventative measures, the cost of these injuries is projected to reach $720 million by 2035, according to ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker.
