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Osteoporosis: Symptoms and Treatment

What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition that occurs when bone thickness or density reduces. This can be as a consequence of mineral loss, such as loss of calcium. When this occurs there is an increase in the likelihood of bone fractures, particularly in the spine, ribs, hips, pelvis, wrists and upper arms. These osteoporotic fractures can result in a stooped posture or Dowager's hump' in the back. Fractures can also result in loss of height, muscle weakness and deformity of the spine. Osteoporosis Australia states that "1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men over 60 years will have an osteoporotic fracture in Australia". This is a significant number of people suffering disability from the illness, as well as chronic pain and loss of independence.

Often the condition goes untreated with people mistakenly believing that the back pain, loss of height and rounding of the spine are normal problems associated with old age. Consequently an estimated 2/3 of spinal fractures are left untreated.

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?
The main symptom of osteoporosis is the bone fractures and for many people this illness goes undetected until they suffer from an osteoporotic fracture. Commonly, stress fractures in the most severe cases can be caused by something as normal as stepping down from a curb. These are known as minimal trauma fractures and they will occur in the feet and ankles of osteoporosis sufferers.
Spinal fractures are common with people who have osteoporosis. These small fractures of the vertebra will occur repeatedly over time, causing chronic lower back pain for the sufferer and a curvature of the spine. This curvature often known as a Dowager's hump' is also connected with a loss of height.
The final symptom that is typically found in osteoporosis patients are hip fractures. These can occur from the smallest of impacts, for example simple falls, and are a particular worry as they tend to heal poorly due to overall poor bone health.
The problem that is associated with these fractures is that they are indicators of poor bone health. Osteoporosis Australia reports that people who suffer one fracture are 50% more likely to suffer a further fracture. This is known as the cascade effect'. It has been found that a woman who has suffered one fracture is 4 times as likely to suffer a second fracture within the following year. Those people that have had 2 or more osteoporotic fractures and 9 times more likely to have a further bone

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