Overview of prevention of minimal-trauma fracture

Many people who experience a minimal-trauma fracture have modifiable risk factors. For primary and secondary prevention of minimal-trauma fracture, address all modifiable risk factors, including preventing falls, optimising the management of comorbidities, and minimising the use of drugs (if possible) that affect bone homeostasis or density.

Advise and assist all patients at risk of minimal-trauma fracture to:

• implement strategies to prevent falls
• increase weight-bearing exercise and balance training
• ensure adequate calcium intake
• ensure vitamin D sufficiency
• stop smoking
• limit alcohol intake to two standard drinks per day
• maintain ideal body weight.

For information about when to use drug therapy for primary or secondary prevention of minimal-trauma fracture, see Management of osteoporosis following minimal-trauma fracture and Management of osteoporosis in the absence of fracture, as well as Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.