Bones that were once strong become weak, brittle, and prone to fracture. Osteoporosis may result in fractures of the spine, wrists, hips, and other bones. Bone loss may lead to small breaks in the spine. As more small breaks occur, people get shorter. Some people are unaware of this happening and may only notice that their clothes don't fit quite the same way.
People can have trouble moving around, feel a lot of pain, and even develop a curved back.
People with osteoporosis can break their spine more easily, even by picking up a bag of groceries. In elderly women who have lost bone over many years, a minor fall can result in a broken hip. Bone is a living, growing tissue. Throughout life, bone is constantly being renewed. Old bone is removed and new bone is being laid down.