What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition whereby bones become more brittle and fragile and are more susceptible to breaks and fractures.

Osteoporosis and fractures are major causes of injury, long term disability and even death in older Australians.

There are usually no signs or symptoms to indicate osteoporosis until a fracture occurs. For this reason, it is often called a ‘silent disease’.

Osteoporosis can affect any bone. However, the most common sites for fractures are the spine, upper arm, wrist, ribs, forearm, pelvis and hip.