Osteoporosis is common, may show no symptoms. It can have devastating impact, yet IS treatable.
In the UK alone there are over 1,100 deaths that occur every month as a result of a hip fracture. At the London Osteoporosis Clinic, we think this is completely unacceptable – especially when many of these fractures could have been prevented.
Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become fragile and if not treated, can progress painlessly until, seemingly from nowhere, a bone breaks.
Osteoporosis is common
There are over 520,000 osteoporosis related fractures in the UK per year, yet many fractures can be prevented by treatment.
The bones in our skeleton are made of a thick outer shell and a strong inner mesh filled with collagen (protein), calcium salts and other minerals. The bone structure is lattice-like.
Osteoporosis occurs when the spokes of the lattice thin and break. Although osteoporosis usually affects the whole skeleton, the most common fractures are in the wrist, spine and hip.
Key facts about osteoporosis
- 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 in the UK will have osteoporosis
- Every minute, someone suffers an osteoporosis-related fracture
- An estimated 3.2 million people in the UK suffer from osteoporosis
- Each year there are some 80,000 hip fractures (projected to be over 110,000 in 2016), 50,000 wrist fractures and 40,000 spinal fractures from osteoporosis
- Osteoporosis costs the NHS and government some £4 billion each year. (Reference: National Osteoporosis Society)
Signs and symptoms
There typically are no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss. But once bones have been weakened by osteoporosis, you may experience signs and symptoms that include:
- Back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra
- Loss of height over time
- A stooped posture
- A bone fracture that occurs much more easily than expected
- Life with osteoporosis – patient videos
As well as a low peak bone mass, there are other factors that can contribute to the development of osteoporosis:
- A sedentary lifestyle (e.g lack of exercise, not being active)
- Drinking excess alcohol
- Smoking
- Low sun exposure and lack of vitamin D
- Low calcium levels
- Inflammatory conditions (e.g arthritis)
- Genetic variation
- Drugs, such as steroids
- Apoptosis (cell death)
- Menopause – particularly early menopause
Life with Osteoporosis
The following video shows a National Osteoporosis Society landmark study of impact of osteoporosis and fragility fractures on people’s lives:
#osteoporosis is preventable
A hip #fracture results in limited function and disability
Essential facts about Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis causes bones to loss of microscopic struts, becoming thin and brittle and more prone to a break after a fall or a minor stress such as bending or cough. These broken bones are referred to as fragility fractures. Osteoporotic bones become fragile and if not treated, can progress painlessly until a bone breaks.
Osteoporosis affects men and women of all races. But Caucasian and Asian women — especially those who are past menopause — are at highest risk. Medications, healthy diet and weight-bearing exercise can help prevent bone loss or strengthen already weak bones, video of clinical cases
Patient stories
Osteoporosis can be a silent disease or it can a devastating impact – have a look these patient stores.
Facts and figures – is widespread
Osteoporosis is common and growing condition and impacts many of us directly or indirectly.
Facts and figures about osteoporosis
Download Osteoporosis Leaflet
Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become fragile and if not prevented or treated, can progress painlessly until a bone breaks, yet there are many treatments.
Osteoporosis is common
There are over 300,000 osteoporosis related fractures in the UK per year, yet many fractures can be prevented by treatment.
In the UK over 1,100 individuals die every month following a hip fracture alone. We think this is unacceptable when many of these fractures can be prevented.
The bones in our skeleton are made of a thick outer shell and a strong inner mesh filled with collagen (protein), calcium salts and other minerals.
The bone structure is lattice-like. Osteoporosis occurs when the spokes of the lattice thin and break. Although osteoporosis usually affects the whole skeleton, the most common fractures are in the wrist, spine and hip.
Key facts about osteoporosis 
• 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men in the UK will have osteoporosis over the age of 50
• Every 2 minutes, someone has a fracture due to osteoporosis
• An estimated 3 million people in the UK suffer from osteoporosis
• Each year there are over 80,000 hip fractures (projected to be over 110,000 in 2016), 50,000 wrist fractures and 40,000 spinal fractures from osteoporosis
• Osteoporosis costs the NHS and government over £2.2 billion each year or £6 million each day (Reference: National Osteoporosis Society)
If you think you or your family are at risk of osteoporosis or have osteoporosis; there are several new treatments to cut the risk of future fractures and complications.