As you get older, your bones get thinner and the bone strength decreases. 

Osteoporosis is a disorder in which your bones become very weak and fragile. It can become so brittle that falls or simple daily activities like bending over or coughing can cause a fracture.

Osteoporosis often remains unnoticed over many years, with no symptoms or discomfort until a bone breaks. It occurs due to ageing, especially in women. 

Read on to know more about the common fractures you can face if you have osteoporosis.

1. Wrist fractures

Fracture of the wrist is very common in osteoporosis. Your wrist consists of small bones which may get fractured and are difficult to unite as blood circulation is limited in these small bones. 

Wrist fractures are usually due to impact from a fall. They might not hurt a lot but can significantly impact your daily activities.

2. Hip fractures

Hip fractures are common due to a fall in old age. It can be disabling or even fatal in many cases as haemorrhage (uncontrolled bleeding) is very common in hip fractures. 

Such fractures should be reported as soon as possible to your doctor. Most of these fractures require surgical intervention.

3. Vertebrae or spinal fractures

Due to thinning of your bones, vertebrae (small bones that make your spinal column, i.e. backbone) cannot bear your body weight and get fractured very easily. 

If more than one vertebra gets fractured, it reduces the vertebral height and causes ‘wedging’ of vertebrae (fusion of the bones of your spine). 

This leads to a stooped (hunched over) posture that causes pain, which can radiate to your legs as well. You can get vertebrae fractures even from daily activities like lifting weights.

4. Forearm fractures

A forearm fracture is another common fracture due to thinning of your forearm bones. It usually occurs due to falling on an outstretched hand. 

This type of fracture may or may not require surgery, but it is important to take care of the adjacent joints to avoid stiffness.

When you have osteoporosis, bone fractures are high on the list of concerns. You should take steps like lifestyle changes and medicine to help prevent them. 

To know more about osteoporosis and its treatment, consult your doctor.


Disclaimer: This article is written by the Practitioner for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.