MOST people would not consider a broken ankle a "lucky break," but that is exactly how Judith Paxton sees her injury.

The 61-year-old received the injury in a fall two years ago, but it was only after receiving treatment that tests revealed she had osteoporosis, a disease that causes painful, debilitating and sometimes fatal fractures.

Judith, from Howwood, Renfrewshire, says: "It came as a total shock. Nobody in our family has had anything like it.

"I sat and cried in the hospital until they had to throw me out because they were closing for the night.

"Then I sat in the car and cried some more.

"The diagnosis means you are much more likely to fracture something in the future and you have to take extra care.

"It is so frightening. You take it for granted you can do what you want. Suddenly, you are hit with this, you think, 'What if I go for a walk and fall and break something?'

"I was frightened at first. I cried for a fortnight. I thought, 'My life's over.' But the staff at the clinic in Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley were really nice to me.

"They prescribed medication and passed me on to physiotherapists. They are really helpful because they check out your mobility, your strength, your balance.

"I was still really frightened and told a physio, but she said you can help yourself and bones will get stronger if you exercise, eat the right foods and take your medication."

Now thanks to the right help and support from the NHS, Judith has regained her confidence and leads an active life.

She even helps out driving the school bus in her village.

That is why she is backing a campaign to raise awareness of osteoporosis, and encouraging other people to get checked.

Judith says: "The first time I was aware I had broken something and immediately they referred me for a scan. If they had not done that I could have had more serious break.

SHE says there are things that can be a heck of a lot worse than a broken ankle.

"I call it my lucky break. I was diagnosed early on and it was a nice clean break that healed properly. I got to know what was happening to me and was able to do something about it," she explains.

Research by the National Osteoporosis Society found that women in Scotland who are 50 and older are incapacitated for an average of 44 days every time a bone is broken because of poor bone health.

Stop At One is the charity's campaign to raise awareness of bone health and tackle the problem of fractures in the over-50s.

Dr Stephen Gallacher, consultant physician at the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, says: "In Scotland we see many people every day who are unaware they have osteoporosis until they have suffered a number of broken bones.

"We are working to change this pattern and encourage more people to have bone checks, which will help them identify the condition earlier and take steps to improve their bone health."

The Fracture Liaison Service, which helped Judith back on her feet, began in Glasgow just over a decade ago and has gained the support of the National Osteoporosis Society. The model of care it provides have been proven to save lives and money.

Claire Severgnini, chief executive of the National Osteoporosis Society, says: "Those who are most vulnerable to osteoporosis and fragility fractures are often not aware of the condition or do not recognise the signs they are at risk.

"The condition can have a huge impact on quality of life, creating unnecessary months of difficulty with everything, from daily tasks such as getting washed in the morning, to driving and even enjoying time with loved ones.

"The Stop At One campaign will encourage women to take a proactive approach by getting more information online and having the confidence to speak to their doctor about a bone check.

"When people are aware they have the condition, more steps can be taken to reduce unnecessary fractures."

Osteoporosis can be treated and there are simple things you can do to help keep your bones healthy at all ages, including changing your exercise, diet, smoking and alcohol consumption habits.