Osteoporosis is a silent disease that whittles away at the bones over many years, creating a fragile and brittle frame that is dangerously susceptible to fracture. Very few, if any, symptoms are usually noticed until osteoporosis is advanced.

Prior to osteoporosis, patients may be diagnosed with a condition called osteopenia, which indicates loss of bone mineral as indicated on a bone mineral density test. Osteoporosis in the spine causes thinning and weakening of the vertebrae, which can break down and collapse, causing compression fractures. Even though these fractures may or may not be noticed by the person, they can lead to further problems and pain, including an abnormally curved upper back and decrease in height. Fractured vertebrae from osteoporosis in the spine actually account for about half of all fractures caused by osteoporosis.

At Sutter, we are acutely aware of the risk factors and signs of osteoporosis in our patients. Monitoring and testing for the condition can help prevent or minimize the disease before it starts and help patients sustain active and healthy lives.

Your Sutter primary care provider can help detect and prevent osteoporosis in its early stages, often through a test. If compression fractures of the vertebrae develop, our specialists offer relief through a number of treatment options, including kyphoplasty and other innovative treatment options.

To find out more, visit our Healthwisehealth information section for complete osteopeniaand osteoporosis overviews. You can find a dditional information under osteoporosis in MedlinePlus®, a joint effort of the National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine.

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