Mike James, 63, from Whitehaven in West Cumbria, who suffers from osteoporosis (Image: Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)
Christmas is a time of joy and laughter, but for osteoporosis sufferers it can also bring challenges.
Plummeting temperatures can lead to icy conditions, which are treacherous for those with the bone-weakening condition.
Latest figures from the Royal Osteoporosis Society suggest there will be more than 19,000 fractures over the two-week holiday, and 3,000 people could see in the New Year from a hospital bed due to a hip fracture.
The average length of stay in hospital following that particular break is 21 days in England and Wales.
And, tragically, more than a quarter of hip fracture patients die within a year of it happening.
The Sunday Express Better Bones for Life campaign is calling for an end to the postcode lottery in England for osteoporosis diagnostics, known as Fracture Liaison Services.
Delivering these specialist clinics across the whole of the country will prevent a total of 74,000 fractures over five years, by diagnosing people early and offering treatment.
As part of the crusade we also want to encourage 100,000 people to check their chances of getting the condition with the ROS’s online risk checker.
Don’t miss… [DISCOVER] [EXPLORE]
Mike James slipped and fell on Christmas Day four years ago (Image: Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)
Fear of falling is also a huge barrier for those with osteoporosis. ROS figures show 92 per cent of people are concerned about future falls or fractures, while 70 per cent say this fear has had a significant impact on what they do.
Sadly, 48 per cent of respondents say their osteoporosis has affected their emotional health, mainly because of the pain and the need to cut out activities they enjoy.
Try the risk checker by visiting: . Donate to the ROS at theros.org.uk/donation/
After my fall, I have to do a risk assessment when I go out in winter
Mike James suffered two spinal fractures after slipping on ice on Christmas Day in 2020. He now lives in constant pain, and has lost two inches in height.
The 63-year-old says he has had 17 or 18 fractures in total, several of which have happened in winter. Mr James, from Whitehaven, Cumbria, said: “I was out for a winter walk before the mad morning rush kicked in with the family.
“I was just around the corner from the house and I slipped on ice, fell over, landed on my back, and immediately knew something wasn’t right.
“The nature of the pain was the same as when I had fractured bones previously, so I knew. I crawled home and phoned 999 and got the ambulance out – and I spent Christmas and Boxing Day in A&E.
“So yes, I didn’t have the best Christmas Day at all, although my family waited until I was home to celebrate.” He added: “The weather has a huge impact. I run as part of my pain management and I always have to be careful when the weather changes.
“In the recent frosts I chose not to go out, which can be disheartening. I have to be more wary now. When I go running I deliberately choose routes I know will be safer, or avoid certain hills because they’re wet or icy. It is all about planning, like a five-minute risk assessment in your head every time you go out in winter.”