Osteoporosis: assessing the risk of fragility fracture

Osteoporosis-related fractures

Everyone's bones get weaker as they get older. In some people this can lead to a condition called osteoporosis, in which bones become fragile and break easily. These fractures, called fragility fractures, are most common in bones of the spine, wrists and hips. In particular, the risk of osteoporosis starts to increase in women after the menopause because their ovaries no longer produce oestrogen, which helps to protect the bones. People may also be at increased risk of osteoporosis because it runs in their family or because of the side effects of some medications such as steroid tablets or injections. Therapies and treatments are available to help prevent fractures in people with osteoporosis.