About Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis literally means ‘porous bones’ and is often referred to as the ‘fragile bone disease’.
People are often unaware that they have fragile bones until the time of a first fracture. Broken wrists, hips and spinal bones are the most common fractures in people with osteoporosis and it is more widespread in older age although younger people can sometimes be affected.
One in two women and one in five men over the age of 50 in the UK will fracture a bone, mainly as a result of osteoporosis. The cause of the disease is still not fully understood, but research continues to build up a picture of the factors that influence our bone health.
Explore the links on the left to access more information on the fragile bone disease.
You can also download some key Facts and Figures.
If you have a question that has not been answered by any of the information in this section, you can get in touch with our team of Osteoporosis Nurses.