Osteoporosis is a silent disease as it develops. There is no pain, nor are there other symptoms as bone breaks down and becomes more fragile. For most people, a fracture is the first symptom of osteoporosis.

Treatments can help build bone mineral density and prevent fractures.

Types of Osteoporosis Symptoms

Fractures

Fractures are the most dangerous consequence of osteoporosis. Hip, spine, and wrist fractures are most common. Some people with osteoporosis experience shoulder, upper arm, forearm, or rib fractures. Osteoporosis raises the risk for all types of fractures. Bones also tend to heal more slowly in those with osteoporosis. Once a person with osteoporosis has experienced one fracture, they have a significantly increased risk of additional fractures.

Pain

Osteoporosis itself does not cause pain. However, osteoporotic fractures can cause severe chronic pain. Pain related to osteoporotic fractures is most common in the neck or back. Some people with osteoporosis experience sciatica – pain that shoots down the leg – due to a nerve in the back being pinched by the collapse of fractured vertebrae.

Deformity and Mobility

In the spine, weakened vertebrae can begin to collapse, leading to loss of height, a stooped posture, and sometimes a rounded hump in the upper back known as kyphosis. Spine and hip fractures can lead to mobility problems that interfere with daily activities, making it harder for someone with osteoporosis to be independent.

General Symptoms

Some people with osteoporosis report depression, anxiety, and trouble sleeping, which are common in all chronic illnesses.

Osteoporosis can result in losing teeth due to bone loss in the jawbone.

Serious Complications of Osteoporosis

Hip fractures are a very serious complication of osteoporosis. Hip fractures require surgery and can be life-threatening. When a hip is fractured, blood clots can break off and enter the bloodstream, where they may travel to the arteries of lungs and cause potentially fatal blockages known as pulmonary emboli. After a hip fracture, recovery often requires remaining immobile for weeks or months while you heal. During this time, you will lose more muscle and bone mass due to lack of exercise. Immobility also increases your risk for developing pneumonia and urinary tract infections. Some people never recover full mobility after a hip fracture. The risk of death increases in the year after a hip fracture.

Condition Guide

• Osteoporosis – An Overview
• Osteoporosis – The Path to Diagnosis
• Osteoporosis Treatment
• Types of Osteoporosis
• What Causes Osteoporosis?