AN AUDIT OF POST FRACTURE REHABILITATION WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON OSTEOPOROSIS ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT

Objective. To study the outcome of osteoporosis assessment and rehabil itation in post-fracture patients. Methods: This was a retrospective s urvey of the records of patients who had been referred to us from orth opaedic departments for rehabilitation after a fracture. Results: A si gnificant number of patients had had previous fractures (n = 17) or ri sk factors for osteoporosis (n = 16). The mortality rate was 4%. A sig nificant proportion of patients (9/44) who had been living in their ho mes required placement in residential or nursing homes and additional care after rehabilitation. Conclusion: Our audit showed that post-frac ture patients received optimum care, as set out in the Royal College o f Physicians guidelines, but could benefit additionally from assessmen t and treatment of osteoporosis as set out in the Department of Health (DOH) Guidelines.