Eighty percent of these patients are women. One out of two women and one in eight men over 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. Osteoporosis is often thought of an older persons disease, however it can strike at any age. Osteoporosis is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures annually. Osteoporosis is essentially asymptomatic until a fracture occurs.
Bone loss occurs without symptoms.
The events that may precipitate a fracture are as simple as turning over in bed, however falls and lifting are more common factors. In some cases no event is recalled. Many geriatric patients are at risk for falls because of their poor coordination, poor vision, overall muscle weakness, confusion, and medications that may alter their sensorium. Osteoporosis is a generalized progressive diminution of bone density. It is a metabolic process characterized by a gradual decrease in the absolute bone mass.