Abstract

The mineral content of bone is greatest in young adults and thereafter decreases with age. Osteoporosis can be defined as a reduction in the amount of bone mineral per unit volume of anatomical bone or skeleton, or more simply as a reduction in bone volume, exceeding the natural decline with age. The process diminishes bone strength but produces no symptoms until a fracture occurs in response to minor trauma - typically of a vertebral body, the proximal end of the femur or the lower forearm. Osteoporosis has major economic consequences: 10% of all orthopaedic beds in Britain are occupied by patients with fractured neck of femur, most of which are associated with osteoporosis.¹ This article discusses the diagnosis, causes, treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.