Beacon Hospital is proud to have participated in the Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association (APOA) survey on awareness and attitudes towards fragility fracture management. Conducted in 2022 at Beacon Hospital and led by Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Dato’ Dr Lee Joon Kiong, the survey highlighted significant regional inconsistencies in fragility fracture care despite the growing burden of an ageing population.
Key findings revealed gaps across the care continuum: 59% of patients received timely pain relief, yet only 25% underwent surgery within 48 hours of admission. Preventive care was limited, with just one-third of clinicians assessing future fracture risk in non-hip, non-vertebral fractures. Access to specialised services remained inadequate, with only one-third reporting availability of Orthogeriatric Services and fewer than 25% having Fracture Liaison Services (FLS).
These disparities prompted a regional Call to Action to standardise fragility fracture care across the Asia Pacific. Led by national orthopaedic associations, a coordinated effort is needed to improve acute management, rehabilitation, and secondary fracture prevention, while expanding access to essential specialised services.
The survey also served as a catalyst for new multidisciplinary initiatives involving orthopaedic surgeons, geriatricians, rehabilitation specialists, osteoporosis experts, nurses, and allied health professionals, ultimately driving the development and implementation of national-level quality improvement programmes.
Read the published original article here: PubMed
