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. The remodeling of bone both formation and re-absorption is a continuous process. In osteoporosis, the bone mass is decreased, indicating that the rate of bone re-absorption has exceeded that of bone formation. Osteoporosis causes skeletal weakness. In normal bone, the bone formation and bone re-absorption are closely coupled.