Osteoporosis Overview
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that gradually causes bones to become weak, brittle and more likely to break. Left untreated, this decrease in bone strength can lead to bone fragility that increases the chance of fractures (broken bones) that may require surgery. Fractures caused by osteoporosis can happen in any bone, but most frequently in the hips, spine and wrist, particularly from falls.
Since osteoporosis symptoms are not always obvious, it is often not recognized until a fracture occurs. Some of the most common changes you might experience before a fracture occurs include low back pain or changes in your height or posture. Although you might not notice these symptoms until it is too late, identification and treatment of the underlying cause can assist in the prevention of future fractures.