Symptoms of Osteoporosis

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Osteoporosis is a condition that develops slowly over several years. Symptoms are not obvious in the early stages and can take months or years to appear. Signs of osteoporosis include joint pain, difficulty standing or sitting up straight, or fracturing a bone without much force or impact.

When the bones are significantly thinned (low in bone mass), breakages of the wrist, hip, or spinal bones (vertebra) are most common. A cough or a sneeze may cause the fracture of a rib, or the partial collapse of one of the bones of the spine.

A fractured bone in an older person can be serious, because the bone is no longer able to repair itself effectively. This can lead to arthritis, and even disability; some older people are unable to live independently following an injury.

The characteristic stooping (bent forward) position that is common in older people is a visible sign of osteoporosis. It happens when the bones in the spine are fractured (cracked), making it difficult to support the weight of the body.