MORE patients are being tested and treated for osteoporosis at a North-East hospital trust thanks to the setting up of a fracture liaison service.

Back in 2005 only 25 per cent of female and six per cent of male hip fracture patients at the South Tees Hospital NHS Foundation Trust aged over 75 were treated for osteoporosis. But over the past seven years that figure has soared to 94 per cent.

“These figures are as good as the best in the country,” said rheumatologist Dr Stephen Tuck.

“Patients are now getting treatment as early as possible so we are preventing more fractures from developing and saving lives.”

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become weak and fragile and more likely to break.

There are often no warning signs for osteoporosis until someone experiences a fracture, often after a relatively minor fall, but it can be easily diagnosed using a type of x ray which measures bone density.

One in two women and one in five men aged over 50 will suffer an osteoporotic fracture, but there are a range of treatments available to increase bone strength and prevent more fractures occurring.

In 2005 the trust’s rheumatology team joined forces with its orthopaedics, elderly care and falls teams to identify more at risk patients.

A fracture liaison service with specialist nurses was launched in 2010 with the aim of testing everyone over 50 who suffered a fracture.

Specialist doctors were also appointed to see all those over 70 who suffered a hip fracture.

As a result 94 per cent of hip fracture patients and 97 per cent of all fracture patients over 50 are now tested at the earliest opportunity which could help save lives as one in five people die within 12 months of having a hip fracture.