The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) proudly celebrates a major milestone for its global Capture the Fracture® (CTF) programme : the 1,310 Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) within the CTF network now collectively identify more than one million patients every year.
Following a fragility fracture, the risk of subsequent fractures approximately doubles, with the likelihood of another fracture highest within the first one to two years after the initial event. Coordinated post-fracture care services such as Fracture Liaison Services and orthogeriatric services play a critical role in improving patient outcomes and reducing the risk of future fractures. These services help ensure that patients who experience an osteoporosis-related fracture are not simply discharged without follow-up, but instead receive timely osteoporosis assessment, appropriate treatment, and ongoing care to help prevent additional fractures.
In the past five years, Capture the Fracture® has expanded three-fold and is recognized as the leading global initiative supporting the implementation of coordinated, multidisciplinary models of care for secondary fracture prevention. Through advocacy, education, benchmarking, mentorship, and recognition programmes, the initiative continues to drive improvements in osteoporosis and fragility fracture care worldwide.
The growing global momentum behind CTF is reflected in the programme’s reach: among the 1,310 FLS currently participating, more than 500 services are located across Europe and a further 500 operate throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Beyond supporting the establishment of new services, CTF also promotes local education, collaboration, and networking initiatives that help existing FLS strengthen and optimise their models of care as they work toward achieving gold-level recognition through the CTF Best Practice Framework .
Professor Maria Luisa Brandi, Chair of Capture the Fracture®, stated: “The one million patient milestone is a remarkable achievement for the programme. It reflects the growing recognition of coordinated post-fracture care services as an integral component of modern hospital care and, more broadly, as an important healthcare priority. We extend our sincere gratitude to the healthcare professionals worldwide who contribute every day to strengthening the global FLS movement and helping patients receive the care they need after a fracture. Together, we are closing the care gap and building a future where secondary fractures can be prevented.”
Despite the growing momentum behind secondary fracture prevention services, major gaps in access to care remain worldwide. Coverage of Africa is extremely limited, and in the Asia-Pacific region, a recent regional audit revealed that one-quarter of countries have no FLS at all, while in more than half of countries fewer than 25% of hospitals provide these services. In Europe, the landmark SCOPE 2021 study similarly highlighted inadequate provision of coordinated post-fracture care. There is an urgent need to implement more of these essential services. Fragility fractures are associated with disability, loss of independence, reduced quality of life, and premature mortality, while also placing considerable strain on healthcare systems and society. As populations age, the number of osteoporosis-related fractures is expected to rise substantially, bringing significant human and economic consequences.
Furthermore, a significant care gap persists following fragility fractures: many patients are not systematically risk-stratified or treated in accordance with established clinical guidelines, leaving them at high risk of subsequent fractures. Ensuring patients are consistently assessed and managed based on evidence-based recommendations remains a critical priority.
Professor Nicholas Harvey, IOF President, concluded: “With osteoporosis-related fragility fractures continuing to increase, IOF remains committed to supporting the expansion and continuous improvement of coordinated post-fracture care services worldwide to ensure that more patients receive timely, effective care. We urge healthcare professionals and health authorities everywhere to strengthen efforts to establish and improve these services for the benefit of both patients and healthcare systems.”
For more information about Capture the Fracture® visit www.capturethefracture.org
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About Capture the Fracture®
Capture the Fracture® (CTF) is a multi-stakeholder initiative, led by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), to facilitate the implementation of Post-Fracture Care Coordination Programs, such as Fracture Liaison Services (FLS), for secondary fracture prevention. The CTF initiative aims to drive local and regional change to prioritize secondary fracture prevention. It sets global best practice standards and provides recognition to FLS through its Best Practice Framework (BPF). The CTF programme also provides mentoring, resources, and essential documentation to promote the prioritization of secondary fracture prevention and support the implementation and quality improvement of FLS. Currently, the CTF network includes more than 1300 FLS in 64 countries worldwide. FLS are invited to apply for free evaluation and recognition through the online application platform available on the CTF website.
Visit www.capturethefracture.org
Subscribe to FractureFocus, the Capture the Fracture® quarterly e-magazine
About IOF
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the world’s largest nongovernmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Its members — including committees of leading scientific researchers and 349 patient, medical, and research organizations across 152 countries — work together to make fracture prevention and healthy mobility a global healthcare priority.
www.osteoporosis.foundation @iofbonehealth