Osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease” because it develops without obvious symptoms. As healthy bone breaks down and becomes more fragile, it doesn’t cause pain or other warning signs. For most people, a fracture is the first indication of osteoporosis.

Although it’s not always possible to spot early signs of lost bone mineral density, knowing what to look for can help you catch and treat osteoporosis before complications arise. Here’s what to watch for if you’re concerned about developing osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis Symptoms

Fractures, pain, loss of height, changes in posture, and mental health impacts can all be clues to osteoporosis. Some symptoms may show up early if you’re looking for them, whereas others may become noticeable only as the condition progresses.

1. Fractures

Fractures are a common sign of osteoporosis. They happen when your bones weaken and break more easily, often from minor stress or trauma. Some people with osteoporosis experience fractures from just a simple bump or strain.

Hip, spine, and wrist fractures are most common. However, osteoporosis raises the risk of fractures in any bone. Once a person with osteoporosis has one fracture, they face a significantly higher risk of additional fractures.

Spinal fractures, in particular, can sometimes be silent — you may not notice that you have a broken bone. If you experience sudden or severe back pain, visit your health care provider. They can determine whether osteoporosis may be contributing to the pain.

2. Pain

Osteoporosis itself doesn’t cause pain. However, fractures related to osteoporosis can lead to severe chronic pain. Pain from osteoporotic fractures is most common in the neck or back but can occur with any broken bone. Pain can also result from irritation to surrounding tissues or nerves at the fracture site.

In general, you should see a doctor anytime you have new, severe, or ongoing pain, especially if it affects your daily life. If you already live with chronic pain, your doctor can help you find a pain management program or clinic that is right for your needs.

3. Loss of Height

Sometimes, people living with osteoporosis get shorter. If you lose more than an inch of your height, this could be a sign of osteoporosis. Your doctor should measure your height regularly during checkups. You can also keep track of your height at home if you’re concerned about osteoporosis.

Loss of height usually happens when the bones in your spine collapse due to osteoporosis. Over time, small breaks in these bones can slowly cause them to lose their shape and become compressed.

4. Spinal Deformity

Weakened vertebrae can also lead to a stooped posture or rounded hump in the upper back. Sometimes, the people around you, such as family members and friends, may notice these changes before you do. If others comment on changes in your posture, talk to your doctor about testing to diagnose osteoporosis.

Some people believe that height loss and posture changes are just part of aging, but these symptoms can indicate an underlying medical condition such as osteoporosis. Having these changes checked can help you get an early diagnosis and effective treatment.

5. Mental Health Issues

Some people with osteoporosis report mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. They may also have trouble sleeping. These problems often stem from the stress of living with osteoporosis, especially after a fracture. For instance, anxiety is common in those newly diagnosed with osteoporosis, particularly if their diagnosis follows a fracture.

Depression, on the other hand, may be tied to the same processes in the body that lead to poor bone health and bone loss, though research is still ongoing. Study findings do show that people with depression tend to experience greater loss of bone than those without depression.

Pain from fractures can also disrupt sleep, which might make bone loss worse. Researchers don’t yet fully understand this connection.

Hip Fractures: Serious Complications of Osteoporosis

Hip fractures are a serious complication of osteoporosis, often requiring surgery and long recovery periods. In some cases, they can be life-threatening. Recovery from a hip fracture frequently involves a lengthy hospital stay and requires weeks or months of assistance during healing. This immobility may lead to blood clots, which can break off and enter the bloodstream. If they travel to the lungs, blood clots can cause potentially fatal blockages called pulmonary emboli.

During recovery, it’s common to lose muscle due to lack of exercise. Immobility also increases your risk of pneumonia and other infections. Some people never regain full mobility, and the risk of death rises in the year after a hip fracture.

Talk to Your Doctor

See your doctor right away if you suspect you have osteoporosis. There are easy ways to test for the different types of osteoporosis, including osteopenia. Bone density scans are a common tool for diagnosing osteoporosis, and your doctor may recommend additional tests as well.

If you do have osteoporosis, you can take steps to help strengthen your bones. Working with your doctor, you can make sure you get the tests and treatments you need. Though managing osteoporosis may feel overwhelming at first, taking control of your health can also be empowering.

Find Your Team

On MyOsteoTeam, the social network for people with osteoporosis and their loved ones, more than 62,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with osteoporosis.

What symptoms of osteoporosis did you experience before you were diagnosed? What steps are you taking to help increase your bone mass? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.