Implementation of an integrated care programme to avoid fragility fractures of the hip in older adults in 18 Bavarian hospitals - study protocol for the cluster-randomised controlled fracture liaison service FLS-CARE.

Background: The economic and public health burden of fragility fractures of the hip in Germany is high. The likelihood of requiring long-term care and the risk of suffering from a secondary fracture increases substantially after sustaining an initial fracture. Neither appropriate confirmatory diagnostics of the suspected underlying osteoporosis nor therapy, which are well-recognised approaches to reduce the burden of fragility fractures, are routinely initiated in the German healthcare system.