Osteoporosis is a condition of decreased bone mass resulting in structural weakness of bone.
Because it is a slowly progressing disorder, osteoporosis primarily affects older individuals. Those with osteoporosis have an increased susceptibility to fractures. Osteoporotic fractures often result from relatively minor trauma. Other common fracture sites include the hip, wrist, ribs, and shoulder. Hip fractures secondary to osteoporosis alone represent a tremendous socioeconomic drain.