“Osteoporosis” condition is known as the loss of the normal density of bone, occurring in the fragile bone. Osteoporosis leads to the abnormally porous bone that is also compressible like a sponge, then thick like a brick. This disorder of the skeleton decreases the bone, making an increase in the risk for breaking bones (bone fracture).
Healthy bone is composed of protein, collagen, and calcium, all of which give bone its strength. Bones that are affected by osteoporosis can break (fracture) with a relatively minor injury that usually would not cause a bone fracture. The fracture can be both in the form of cracking (as in a hip fracture) or collapsing (as in a compression fracture of the vertebrae of the spine). The wrists, spine, and hips are common areas of bone fractures from osteoporosis, although osteoporosis-related fractures can also happen in almost any skeletal bone.
The osteoporosis condition can be present without any signs for decades because osteoporosis doesn’t cause symptoms unless bone fractures. Some osteoporosis fractures may avoid detection until years later.
A fracture that occurs during activity is called a Minimal Trauma Fracture or Stress Fracture. Hip fractures typically occur as a consequence of a fall. With osteoporosis, hip fractures can happen as a consequence of trivial accidents.
Osteoporosis bone fractures are responsible for considerable pain, decreased quality of life, lost workdays, and disability. Estrogen is essential in maintaining bone density in women. When estrogen levels sink after menopause, bone loss stimulates. Accelerated bone loss following menopause is a major cause of osteoporosis in women.
