A debilitating disease that can be prevented and treated.
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break.
If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks. These broken bones , also known as fractures, occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist. Any bone can be affected, but of special concern are fractures of the hip and spine. A hip fracture almost always requires hospitalization and major surgery. It can impair a person's ability to walk unassisted and may cause prolonged or permanent disability or even death.