Osteoporosis is a condition of the bones which causes thinning, weakening and propensity to fracture.

Bones are a living part of the body which grow and change. They are made of a lattice of fibres, minerals and calcium containing marrow and being surrounded by blood vessels. In healthy bones, the lattice is tight and the gaps are small. The bone is strong and flexible.

In people suffering from osteoporosis the gaps in the matrix are too large and this means the bone is more brittle, weaker and harder to fix. People often discover they have the condition when they suffer a break. Wrists and hips are particularly vulnerable. Older people are often diagnosed following a fall with a serious break.

The condition arises in all people, but there are risk factors. Women are more likely to suffer than men, particularly those over 45 and those who have been through the menopause, where changes in hormone levels can affect bone regeneration.

Other factors include being underweight, smoking, alcohol consumption and long-term immobilization or sedentary lifestyle. Some people also assert genetic factors.

Since the bones are weaker, sufferers find that what would otherwise be slight bumps and falls can be more serious. Major breaks occur and are harder to mend. Older people with the condition may find they never fully recover total movement following a fall and break.

The condition can also appear in women in particular with the collapse of vertebrae, often at the top of the spine. This may result in pain in the back and an obvious decrease in height. This may be accompanied by a “dowager’s hump” where the pressure of collapsing vertebrae causes and outcrop of bony material to protrude.

The condition can become increasingly debilitating and people with symptoms should urgently seek Orthopedic advice and treatment.