You’ve broken a bone – now what?
Breaking a bone can be painful and disruptive, but it’s also an opportunity to learn more about your bone health and prevent it from happening again.
Many people don’t realize that a single broken bone after age 40 can be an early warning sign of weakened bones or osteoporosis.
This section will help you understand:
What a fracture really means
Why it might have happened
What steps you can take next to protect your bone health
What’s a Fracture?
A fracture is another word for a broken bone — whether it’s a small crack, chip, or complete break.
Once you’ve had one fracture, your risk of another one increases.
Fractures aren’t just painful — they can also lead to fear of falling, loss of confidence, chronic pain, or reduced independence.
What’s a Fragility Fracture?
If you break a bone after a simple slip, trip, or fall from standing height, that’s called a fragility fracture.
It’s often the first sign that your bones may be getting thinner or weaker and need attention.
Why Bone Strength Matters
Healthy bones are strong enough to protect you during daily activities.
If you break a bone from something small — like falling from standing height — it’s not normal.
That’s your body’s signal to check your bone health and take action early.
Remember:
A broken bone isn’t just bad luck, it’s a message from your body.
Find out why it happened so you can stop the next one before it starts.