Osteoporosis can lead to hip fractures. A hip fracture is a break in the femur bone, just below the hip joint or in the upper thigh bone. Over 280,000 hip fractures occur in the United States each year, and most of these fractures occur in women. Women over the age of 65 have a 1 in 5 chance of suffering from hip fracture during their lifetime. Most hip fractures require extensive care, and many result in long-term disability and even death as a result of complications.
Exercise strengthens bones and decreases the rate of bone loss.
To be most effective, the exercise should be weight bearing. Weight can be applied to the bones by the weight of the body, such as with walking, or by lifting or holding weights. Exercise also strengthens muscles and joints and helps make connective tissues more flexible. Careful weight management is important to the health of the musculoskeletal system. Although heavier women have stronger bones, and thus are less at risk of osteoporosis, being overweight causes stress and strain on certain joints, especially the knees and hips.