Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones and makes them more likely to break. It develops slowly and often causes no symptoms until a bone breaks. The hip, spine and wrist are the most often impacted bones.

📋 Overview

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones and makes them more likely to break. It develops slowly and often causes no symptoms until a bone breaks. The hip, spine and wrist are the most often impacted bones.

Healthy bone (left) vs. osteoporotic bone (right)—bones become porous and prone to fracture

Why is it important?

Osteoporosis increases the risk of fractures, even after a minor fall or injury. It is a common condition worldwide and can greatly affect quality of life if not managed early. Early diagnosis and treatment can:

• Prevent fractures
• Reduce pain and complications
• Improve mobility and quality of life
• Help doctors choose the right treatment (medications, lifestyle changes or surgery if needed)

Who is commonly affected?

• Osteoporosis is more common in older adults, especially as bones become weaker with age
• It is more common in women after menopause, but men can also be affected
• Risk is higher in people with:A family history of osteoporosis or fracturesLow body weightLong-term use of steroid medicinesPoor calcium intake or low physical activity
• A family history of osteoporosis or fractures
• Low body weight
• Long-term use of steroid medicines
• Poor calcium intake or low physical activity

⚡Causes—Why It Happens

Underlying causes

• Bone is a living tissue that is constantly being broken down and rebuilt
• Osteoporosis happens when bone loss occurs faster than the body can replace it
• Hormone changes, especially after menopause, can speed up bone loss

Risk factors

Lifestyle contributors

🔍 Signs & Symptoms

Osteoporosis usually causes no symptoms until a bone breaks. Warning signs can include back pain, loss of height, a stooped posture or fractures after a small fall or even a simple activity such as bending or lifting.

🏥 Diagnosis & Investigations

Clinical evaluation

To check your risk of osteoporosis, your doctor may ask about:

• Any previous fractures from a minor fall or simple activity (such as bending or lifting)
• Your medicines, family history of hip fracture, smoking, alcohol consumption and other health conditions that can affect bones
• Any falls or unsteadiness, because frequent falls increase fracture risk even if bone density is normal

Tests

• A bone density scan (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry [DXA]) is the main test to check how strong your bones are
• You may also have blood tests to check calcium, vitamin D and other causes of bone loss
• Tools such as a fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) may be used to estimate your chance of a future fracture and help decide if you need treatment

What patients should expect

• A DXA scan is quick and painless and uses very low‑dose radiation
• The results, together with your age and other risk factors, help the doctor decide whether you need lifestyle changes, medicines or both to protect your bones

💊 Treatment Options

Medications

• Medicines can help strengthen bones and reduce the risk of fractures
• Common first‑line treatments include weekly (or daily) tablets such as alendronate or risedronate, which slow bone loss
• If these are not suitable, or if your fracture risk is higher, other options such as injections (e.g., denosumab, zoledronic acid) or bone‑forming medicines may be considered
• Calcium and vitamin D supplements may be advised to support your bones, especially if your diet is low in these nutrients

Lifestyle changes

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet with enough calcium (from dairy, leafy greens, or fortified foods) and vitamin D (from sunlight, diet or supplements, if needed)
• Do regular weight‑bearing exercise (for example, walking or gentle resistance training) and muscle‑strengthening activities to help keep bones and muscles strong
• Stop smoking and limit alcohol intake, as smoking and heavy drinking can weaken bones and increase fracture risk

Non‑surgical management

• Reducing the risk of falls is a key part of care. This may include safe exercise, balance training and making your home safer (for example, removing trip hazards and improving lighting)
• If you have already had a fracture, pain relief, physiotherapy and support may help improve comfort and daily function

When is a procedure or surgery is needed?

• Osteoporosis itself is usually treated with medicines and lifestyle changes, not surgery
• Surgery may be needed if a fracture occurs, especially if the broken bone needs repair or internal support (such as plates, screws or joint replacement)

💡Myths & Facts

❓Frequently Asked Questions