Osteoporosis: A review

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a disease where decreased bone strength increases the risk of a broken bone. It is the most common reason for a broken bone among people who are older. Bones that commonly break include the back bones, the bones of the forearm, and the hip. Until a broken bone occurs there are typically no symptoms. While osteoporosis occurs in people from all ethnic groups, European or Asian ancestry predisposes for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is an age-related disorder that causes the gradual loss of bone density and strength. Conventional radiography is useful, both by itself and in conjunction with CT or MRI, for detecting complications of osteopenia (reduced bone mass; preosteoporosis). Lifestyle prevention of osteoporosis is in many aspects the inverse of the potentially modifiable risk factors.