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Symptoms of Osteoporosis

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By EBSCO Editorial Staff and Contributors

Osteoporosis is often referred to as a silent disease. The associated bone loss usually occurs without symptoms. Since many people mistakenly believe that all medical conditions cause symptoms. As a result, they do not see a doctor until the condition is far advanced.

 

© 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

  

In the early stages of osteoporosis, there is usually no pain or other symptoms. Once the bones have been weakened, you may have the following symptoms:

  • Collapsed vertebra, which may initially be felt or seen in the form of:
    • Severe back pain
    • Loss of height over time, with stooped posture (kyphosis). With normal aging, everyone has some loss of height. However, a loss of one inch or more is significant and may indicate osteoporosis.
  • Fracture of a bone, such as the wrist or hip, due to the bones becoming over-brittle. This is sometimes the first symptom of osteoporosis.

References:

 

National Institutes of Health website. Available at: http://www.nih.gov/
National Osteoporosis Foundation website. Available at: http://www.nof.org/
 

Last reviewed September 2010 by Marcin Chwistek, MD
Last Updated: 9/20/2010

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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