Fragility Fracture Network

05/06/2026

A recent umbrella review, synthesising five systematic reviews including two network meta-analyses, found that combined exercise and nutritional interventions are the most effective strategy for managing sarcopenia and reducing fall risk in older adults.
The evidence showed improvements in muscle strength, skeletal muscle mass, gait speed, sit-to-stand performance, and fall prevention.
Key recommendations include:
• Progressive resistance and balance training
• Optimised protein intake and adequate vitamin D
• Multidisciplinary care involving physiotherapists, dietitians, geriatricians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals
These findings reinforce the importance of integrated approaches that combine exercise, nutrition, and coordinated care to support healthy ageing, maintain function, and reduce falls.
Learn more

05/06/2026

A recent study highlights a critical evidence-to-practice gap in postoperative care for older adults with hip fractures in Brazil. Despite strong evidence supporting early mobilization, many physiotherapists are not implementing these interventions consistently.
The study identified several factors associated with better knowledge and implementation of early mobilization, including:
✅ Working within orthogeriatric teams
✅ Access to specialized rehabilitation training
✅ Lower patient caseloads
✅ Greater clinical autonomy without requiring surgeon authorization
✅ Use of mobility assessments
These findings underscore the importance of education, interdisciplinary care models, and organizational support to improve rehabilitation outcomes after hip fracture surgery.
Learn more https://journals.lww.com/jgpt/abstract/9900/_mind_the_gap___brazilian_physiotherapists_are_not.99.aspx

03/06/2026

FFN Edinburgh Congress 2026
Early Bird Registration Deadline Extended!
📅 Early Bird Deadline: 3 July
https://ffn.edinburgh2026.co.uk/

29/05/2026

Periprosthetic femur fractures (PFFs) are an emerging fragility trauma burden, increasing alongside rising arthroplasty rates and an ageing, more active population.
The SNAP Femur nationwide study highlights that PFF carries serious outcomes:
• 1-year mortality: 20.8%
• Significant post-injury loss of independence
• Morbidity and mortality comparable to hip fracture
However, PFF patients are often less frail and the injury pattern is more complex, meaning care is less standardised than hip fracture pathways. Notably, time to theatre alone was not independently linked to mortality, underscoring the importance of appropriate surgical expertise.
Call to Action: PFF should be recognised as a distinct fragility trauma entity, integrated into national audits, and supported by dedicated clinical pathways.
Read the article here:

28/05/2026

A nationwide German study of 97,976 hip fracture patients aged 80+ found that hospitals with orthogeriatric co-management (OGCM) achieved a sustained reduction in secondary fragility fractures after an initial hip fracture.
🔎 Key findings:
✅ 5.6% experienced a secondary fracture within 12 months
✅ Hospitals with OGCM showed consistently lower fracture rates
✅ Relative risk reduction reached:
• 27% at 1 month
• 14% at 3 months
• 8% at 6 months
Integrating geriatric expertise into fracture care can improve long-term patient outcomes and help prevent future fractures in older adults.
Read the article here

Summary This study examined the association between the availability of an orthogeriatric co-management and secondary fractures in 97,976 hip fracture patients. We found that the presence of orthogeriatric co-management was associated with a small but sustainable reduction in secondary fragility fra...

22/05/2026

Post-discharge telenursing improves recovery after hip fracture surgery
A randomized controlled trial in Türkiye involving adults ≥65 recovering from Hip Fracture compared standard care with a 6-week structured telenursing program.
The intervention (video consultations, phone follow-ups, and education) led to:
 Improved quality of life (notably mental health and vitality)
 Greater functional independence (higher FIM scores)
 Better self-care, mobility, and social functioning
Key takeaway: Early, structured telenursing after discharge can enhance both physical and psychological recovery and support independence in older adults.
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Abstract. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of post-discharge education provided via tele-nursing on the quality of life and functional indep

21/05/2026

Hip fractures in older adults are associated with high early postoperative morbidity. This retrospective interrupted time-series study evaluated whether a coordinated perioperative pathway could improve outcomes.
The ASAP bundle included:
🔹 Orthogeriatric consultation
🔹 Surgery within 12 hours
🔹 Supra-inguinal fascia iliaca block (SFIB)
🔹 Optimization of chronic medications
Implementation of ASAP was associated with a significant reduction in early postoperative complications within 7 days, with both immediate and sustained improvements. Early surgery and regional analgesia (SFIB) were key drivers of benefit.
Conclusion: A structured multidisciplinary perioperative algorithm significantly reduces early complications after hip fracture surgery in older adults.
Learn more:

armacology (ASAP) bundle comprises four components: orthogeriatric consultation (Advise), surgery within 12 hours (Surgery), supra-inguinal fascia iliaca block (SFIB; Analgesia), and chronic therapy adjustment (Pharmacology). METHODS: In this retrospective, single-center interrupted time-series coho...

15/05/2026

A nationwide cohort study in England involving over 164,000 older adults found that 4.6% of patients required at least one reoperation within one year of hip fracture surgery.

Infections were the leading cause of reoperations within the first 30 days, while periprosthetic fractures were more common after 30 days. Reoperation rates also varied significantly between hospitals.

These findings may improve shared decision-making and inform future choices of surgical procedures and implants for patients with hip fractures.

To learn more, read the full article here:

Reoperation in the year following a hip fracture

13/05/2026

A recent Malaysian study comparing standard tertiary care hospitals with an accredited Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) model found major improvements in outcomes for patients aged 50+ with osteoporotic fractures.

Key findings from the FLS-accredited hospital included:
✔️ Higher prescription rates of anti-osteoporosis medication
✔️ Greater use of calcium/vitamin supplements
✔️ More bone mineral density testing
✔️ Better mobility after fracture
✔️ Increased independence at discharge

At discharge, 66% of FLS patients received osteoporosis medication versus only 4.2% in standard care hospitals. Patients under FLS care were also significantly more likely to regain mobility and independence after their fracture.
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Osteoporotic fractures pose a significant health challenge, particularly among the elderly, resulting in diminished quality of life, increased morbidity and mortality, and substantial healthcare costs. In Malaysia, the incidence of osteoporotic fractures is expected to increase due to the country’...

12/05/2026

Happy International Nurses Day!