• Osteoporosis is when your bones become thin and more likely to break (fracture). Vertebral fractures are breaks in a bone or bones in the spine. These fractures affect around 12% of people (more than 1 in 10).
• Sometimes people don’t get diagnosed, which means they may not get the right treatment.
• This research co-created new resources to help people learn more about vertebral fractures. This was in partnership with people who have spinal fractures, their carers and family members, and healthcare professionals who treat osteoporosis.
• We made posters, information leaflets, and an infographic to show what signs and symptoms to look for. The co-creation group suggested changes, like adding more information about when to get medical help, and explaining medical words clearly.

There are 2 main resources for patients with a suspected osteoporotic vertebral fracture, and/or their carers:

1. Spinal fracture: Breaks in the bones in your spine: A guide to diagnosis for patients and carers: This information leaflet provides patients and/or carers with a guide to vertebral fractures, including symptoms, risk factors, terms for vertebral fracture (‘compression fracture’ or ‘wedge deformity’). The guide also features information about medications, treatment and how to strengthen bones through diet and exercise.
2. Spinal fracture: Breaks in the bones in your spine: A poster for patients and/or carers, detailing what vertebral fractures are, how they are diagnosed, and links to an extended guide

• In addition to English, the resources have been translated into Punjabi, Urdu and Somali. They are being shared with a range of groups to improve the identification of vertebral fractures in the future.