Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become fragile and brittle. It is a progressive disease resulting in the reduction of total bone mass and increased fragility. These changes in bone can result in spontaneous and low impact fractures of load-bearing bones including hip and vertebrae. These fractures can contribute significantly to the physical and mental deterioration of the afflicted individual. Bone is perpetually remodelling and it is when this remodelling process becomes unbalanced in a way that leads to a reduction in bone density, that Osteoporosis occurs.

Osteoporosis occurs when bones lose minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, more quickly than the body can replace them, leading to a loss of bone thickness (bone mass or density). As a result, bones become thinner and less dense, so that even a minor bump or accident can cause serious fractures. These are known as fragility or minimal trauma fractures. Any bone can be affected by osteoporosis, but the most common sites are bones in the hip, spine, wrist, ribs, pelvis and upper arm. Osteoporosis usually has no signs or symptoms until a fracture occurs. This is why osteoporosis is often called the 'silent disease'