Treatment
Fall prevention and bone health
Perhaps you now hold the handrail, although you used to take the stairs without thinking. Or a fall has made you more cautious. Worrying about another fall is understandable, but it can lead you to feel less and less confident about what you can do.
Open individual sections or all the details on this page.
Understanding
A closer look
We want to work with you to establish how you can move more safely again in everyday life. We consider both bone strength and possible reasons for unsteadiness when walking. Our aim is to prevent fractures, ideally before the first one occurs, and maintain your independence.
Why bone strength and fall risk belong together
Whether a bone breaks during a fall depends on several circumstances. Reduced bone strength can increase the risk. The type of fall and your ability to break your fall also play a part. Looking only at the DXA result is therefore not always enough.
In osteoporosis, reducing fracture risk, assessing muscles and assessing possible fall risk belong together. A good result in one area does not rule out problems in another. Even after starting drug treatment, it remains useful to mention repeated falls or new unsteadiness.
Which changes you should tell us about
Please tell us when you feel unsteady. Is it mainly when getting up, turning, walking on uneven ground or doing several things at once? Have you actually fallen, or just managed to grab hold of something? Near falls like these are also important clues.
New sight problems, dizziness, muscle weakness or changes in medicines may also matter for further investigation. Not every cause lies within orthopaedics alone. If other medical questions emerge, we discuss which additional assessment is needed.
Further information
What we look at during the examination
Depending on your situation, we assess mobility, strength, walking pattern and balance. Simple tasks such as standing up and walking can show where difficulties lie. The examination is adapted to your capacity; it is not a competition.
Bring the walking aid you actually use in daily life. Tell us if a movement causes pain or you are afraid of losing your balance. This information helps us interpret the result meaningfully and plan suitable next steps.
If muscle loss is suspected, BIA can provide additional information on body composition. Together with strength measurements and functional tests, it allows a more detailed assessment of the role your muscles play in everyday safety. BIA alone determines neither fall risk nor the appropriate exercise.
Adapting activity so you can keep moving
Avoiding every activity for fear of falling can, over time, mean that important abilities are used less. Equally, starting exercises without an assessment would not be sensible if they make you feel unsafe or could cause a fall.
We discuss which movement is suitable for you and whether supervised treatment could help. Strength, balance and everyday movements may each need a different emphasis. Start with an amount you can manage safely. Exercises with a risk of falling require appropriate instruction and safety support.
Looking closely at everyday life
Think about which situations become difficult. Perhaps the route to the bathroom at night is poorly lit, or you often have to carry objects on the stairs. Observations like these make it easier to find changes that will actually help in your home.
Shoes and aids should also suit your situation. A walking aid is helpful when it is adjusted appropriately and you can use it comfortably. If you are unsure, ask how to use it correctly. The aim is to help you get around more reliably again.
Taking nutrition and medicines into account
Adequate nutrition supports bone health and helps maintain physical capacity. Please tell us if eating is difficult, you are losing weight unintentionally or you hardly eat certain foods any more. Supplements should address an identifiable need.
Please also bring your current medication list. If unsteadiness or dizziness began after a change in medication, mention the timing. Please do not stop a medicine on your own for this reason. Any adjustment must take account of why it was prescribed.
Your care at OrthoCoast
Prof. Dr. med. habil. Hans-Christof Schober, Dr. med. Christoph Jährling, Björn Weidemann and Priv. Doz. Dr. med. habil. Richard Kasch provide advice on bone health and fall prevention. Prof. Schober, Dr. Jährling and Mr Weidemann hold the German designation Osteologe DVO.
Before the discussion, you are welcome to note previous falls, near falls and situations in which you need support. Together, we aim to turn this into a manageable plan whose benefit you can recognise in daily life.
What to expect and next steps
Clarifying the next step after a fall
After a fall with severe pain, an obvious deformity or inability to bear weight, an injury must be assessed first. After a serious accident or with other emergency signs, seek immediate medical help. General advice on fall prevention does not replace this assessment.
Once the acute situation has been treated, it is worth looking at what happened: what contributed to the fall, and what can be changed? After a fracture, a specialist bone assessment may also be useful. Please bring existing reports and images.
Our doctors in this specialty
Prof. Dr. med. habil.Hans-Christof Schober
Specialist in internal medicine; subspecialist in endocrinology
DVO-certified osteologist
View profile
Dr. med.Christoph Jährling
Specialist in orthopaedics and trauma surgery
DVO-certified osteologist
View profile
Björn Weidemann
Specialist in orthopaedics and trauma surgery
DVO-certified osteologist
View profile
Priv. Doz. Dr. med. habil.Richard Kasch
Specialist in orthopaedics and trauma surgery
View profileThese doctors can support you with medical guidance. Together, we discuss which movements and activities matter to you in daily life.
Frequently asked questions
Is fall prevention only useful after a fracture?
No. New unsteadiness or repeated stumbling can already be reasons to consider possible causes. Where risk is increased, the aim is to avoid a first fracture if possible.
Should I stop going for walks if I have osteoporosis?
An osteoporosis diagnosis does not automatically mean you should avoid walks. What movement is safe and useful depends on your capacity for activity, previous fractures and risk of falling.
Can a bone density scan show my risk of falling?
It provides information about bone strength. Unsteadiness when walking and the risk of falling also need to be assessed. The two areas complement each other.
Do I have to do exercises alone at home?
That depends on which approach is suitable for you. If an exercise makes you feel unsafe, you need instruction first and, where necessary, support. Please discuss this before trying a risky exercise alone.
Your next step
This may be useful to you
More related topics
Osteoporosis assessmentMedicines for osteoporosisMovement and exerciseOrthoses & aidsAcute symptoms and emergenciesPriv. Doz. Dr. med. habil. Richard KaschProf. Dr. med. habil. Hans-Christof SchoberDr. med. Christoph JährlingBjörn WeidemannBIA and muscle assessment with seca mBCAFunction & movement assessment
