Where does the bone loss in osteoporosis occur?
{ Posted on Sep 30 2006 by hans }
Although the entire skeleton may be involved in post menopausal osteoporosis, bone loss is usually greatest in the spine, hips, and ribs. Since these bones bear a great deal of weight, they are then susceptible to pain, deformity, or fracture. At least 1.5 million fractures occur each year as a direct result of osteoporosis, including 250,000 hip fractures, the most catastrophic of fractures. Hip fracture leads to death (both directly and indirectly as a result of long-term hospital stays) in twelve to twenty percent of cases and precipitates long-term nursing home care for half of those who survive. Nearly one-third of all women and one-sixth of all men will fracture their hips in their lifetime.