Osteoporosis and falls

Osteoporosis can affect the whole skeleton but often has quite severe effects on the spine and hips. The bones in the osteoporotic spine are crushed spontaneously during everyday activities. This leads to excess curvature of the spine, giving rise to a bowed posture. In some people this posture makes mobility more difficult and can stop people seeing what is happening around them. Falls or knocks are then more likely.

If they do fall, people with osteoporosis are much more likely to break bones even after a small knock or fall - often in the forearm, wrist hip and back. The risk of having an osteoporotic fracture increases with age and is determined by the severity of the disease and if the person is affected by other risk factors (e.g. postural instability). Some people may not even know they have osteoporosis until they break a bone.