- Osteoporosis
- Fractures
- Bone health
Osteoporosis: the silent disease that can cause back pain and fractures
Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. women aged 50 and older has osteoporosis. We explain why it causes no symptoms until a bone breaks, who is most at risk, and how to protect your bones.
PainManagement ER Published 2 min read
Osteoporosis doesn’t hurt… until a bone breaks. That’s why the NIH call it a “silent” disease: it usually causes no symptoms until there is a fracture.[2] It develops when bone mineral density and bone mass decrease, or bone structure changes, and the bones become weaker.[2]
The numbers in the U.S.
According to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, among adults aged 50 and older in 2017–2018:[1]
Adults aged 50 and older with osteoporosis, U.S. 2017–2018
- Women
- Men
- Total
More findings from the same report:[1]
- Among women aged 65 and older, osteoporosis reaches 27.1%.
- In addition, 43.1% of adults aged 50 and older have low bone mass, a step before osteoporosis.
- Osteoporosis rose from 9.4% to 12.6% between 2007–2008 and 2017–2018.
| Adults aged 50 and older | Ages 50–64 | 65 and older |
|---|---|---|
| Osteoporosis, women | 13.1% | 27.1% |
| Osteoporosis, men | 3.3% | 5.7% |
| Osteoporosis, total | 8.4% | 17.7% |
Source: CDC/NCHS, Data Brief No. 405 (2021).[1]
Where bones break
Fractures can happen in any bone, but they are most common in the hip, the vertebrae of the spine and the wrist.[2]
Spine fractures and back pain
A vertebral fracture can cause severe back pain, loss of height and changes in the spine such as a hunched posture (kyphosis).[2] If you notice you’ve lost height or have new, severe back pain, especially after age 50, mention it to your doctor.
Risk factors
According to NIAMS:[2]
- Being female and age
- Small body size and family history
- Hormone changes, such as menopause
- Low calcium or vitamin D intake
- Some medical conditions and medications
- Inactivity, heavy alcohol use and smoking
How to protect your bones
NIAMS recommends:[2]
- Eating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.
- Staying active with weight-bearing exercise, such as walking.
- Taking your medication if prescribed: it can help prevent fractures in people with osteoporosis.
Low physical fitness raises the risk of falls and fractures, so staying active protects you too.[2] Your doctor may recommend a bone density test based on your age and risk factors.
If you have new back pain after age 50, or risk factors for osteoporosis, an assessment can help rule out fractures and protect your bone health.
Sources
- Osteoporosis or Low Bone Mass in Older Adults: United States, 2017–2018 (NCHS Data Brief No. 405) . Sarafrazi N, Wambogo EA, Shepherd JA. National Center for Health Statistics, CDC , March 2021.
- Osteoporosis . National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), NIH , reviewed December 2022.
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