Known as the “silent thief”, bone deterioration can occur over a number of years without any symptoms. Unfortunately, by the time affected bones break or fracture, the disease is already fairly advanced and less treatable.

The most common fractures associated with osteoporosis are in the hip, spine, wrist, and shoulder.

Today, no single cause for osteoporosis has been identified.

While Osteoporosis can affect people at almost any age, it is most common among Canadians 50 years of age or older.

• 2 million Canadians are affected by osteoporosis
• At least 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will break a bone due to osteoporosis in their lifetime
• Fragility fractures represent 80% of all fractures in menopausal women over the age of 50
• Fractures from osteoporosis are more common than heart attack, stroke and breast cancer combined

Osteoporosis is a disease that takes years to develop without any warning symptoms. Bone mineral is gradually lost, making the bones weaker and more prone to fracturing or breaking.

The misconception is that men don’t get osteoporosis. The fact is that men frequently get osteoporosis and all too many of them are unknowingly suffering the consequences of this disease.

Osteoporosis that results from having another disease or condition or from the treatment of another condition is called secondary osteoporosis. 

Despite the fact that osteoporosis, arthritis and osteoarthritis (a form of arthritis) are completely different conditions, they are frequently confused, in particular osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, because both names start with “osteo.”