PATIENT EDUCATION
Osteoporosis & Bone Health
Osteoporosis reduces bone strength and increases fracture risk. It often causes no symptoms until a fracture occurs, so identifying risk factors and appropriate bone-density testing is important.
Select a topic below to view more information.
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Fracture After a Minor Fall or Low-impact Injury
What you'll notice or feel
- A wrist, hip, spine or other fracture after a relatively minor fall.
- A fracture from an injury that would not usually break healthy bone.
- Previous similar fractures.
Common causes
- Reduced bone strength from osteoporosis.
- Ageing and menopause.
- Long-term steroid use or other secondary causes.
What it could be
- A fragility fracture, which is an important marker of future fracture risk.
- Underlying osteoporosis even if a previous bone-density test was only mildly reduced.
Initial self-care
- Ensure the fracture itself receives appropriate urgent care.
- Ask whether a bone-health assessment is needed after recovery.
- Do not assume a fracture is “just bad luck” if the injury was low impact.
When to see a doctor urgently
- Suspected hip or spinal fracture after a fall.
- New severe back pain with weakness, numbness or bladder/bowel symptoms.
When to see a doctor
- Any low-trauma fracture in an older adult.
- There have been multiple fractures.
- You use long-term glucocorticoids.
Height Loss, Stooping or New Back Pain
What you'll notice or feel
- Loss of measured height over time.
- Increasing forward curvature of the upper back.
- Sudden or persistent mid-back pain.
- Sometimes no memorable injury.
Common causes
- Vertebral compression fractures.
- Degenerative spine disease can also cause height loss and pain.
What it could be
- Osteoporotic vertebral fracture.
- Another spinal condition requiring assessment.
Initial self-care
- Avoid heavy lifting during acute severe pain until assessed.
- Record previous and current height if known.
- Maintain safe mobility rather than prolonged bed rest unless advised.
When to see a doctor urgently
- Severe back pain with leg weakness, numbness, bladder/bowel disturbance or major trauma.
When to see a doctor
- New unexplained height loss.
- Persistent thoracic or lumbar pain in someone at osteoporosis risk.
- A previous spinal compression fracture is known.
Long-term Steroid Use or Secondary Risk Factors
What you'll notice or feel
- You take oral glucocorticoids for months or recurrently.
- Early menopause, low sex hormones, thyroid excess or other endocrine disease.
- Low body weight, malabsorption or chronic inflammatory disease.
- History of bariatric surgery or some long-term medicines.
Common causes
- Many illnesses and medicines can accelerate bone loss.
- Glucocorticoids can increase fracture risk even before very low bone density develops.
What it could be
- Secondary osteoporosis or increased fracture risk requiring prevention.
Initial self-care
- Do not stop long-term steroids abruptly.
- Ensure adequate dietary calcium and vitamin D according to medical advice.
- Perform weight-bearing and resistance activity if safe.
- Avoid smoking and excess alcohol.
When to see a doctor urgently
- Symptoms of adrenal crisis after abruptly stopping steroids require emergency care.
- A suspected fracture needs prompt assessment.
When to see a doctor
- You expect to remain on steroids.
- There is a known endocrine condition affecting bone.
- Bone protection has never been discussed.
Low Bone Density on DXA
What you'll notice or feel
- A DXA report says osteopenia, low bone mass or osteoporosis.
- You may feel completely well.
- There may or may not be previous fractures.
Common causes
- Age-related bone loss.
- Menopause.
- Secondary causes such as thyroid, parathyroid, vitamin D or steroid-related problems.
What it could be
- Osteoporosis or osteopenia requiring interpretation alongside overall fracture risk.
Initial self-care
- Bring the full DXA report, not only the T-score.
- Do not start high-dose calcium or vitamin D without checking whether it is appropriate.
- Continue safe exercise and fall-prevention measures.
When to see a doctor urgently
- A low DXA result alone is not usually an emergency.
- Urgent care is needed for a new suspected fracture.
When to see a doctor
- The scan shows osteoporosis.
- There is a fragility fracture despite only osteopenia.
- You want to discuss whether medication is appropriate.
Falls or Fear of Falling
What you'll notice or feel
- Repeated falls or near-falls.
- Reduced confidence on stairs or uneven ground.
- Muscle weakness or poor balance.
- Concern about breaking a bone.
Common causes
- Reduced muscle strength, vision problems, sedating medicines or neurological disease.
- Low blood pressure or environmental hazards.
- Osteoporosis makes the consequences of falls more serious.
What it could be
- High fracture risk from the combination of bone weakness and falls.
Initial self-care
- Review footwear, vision and home trip hazards.
- Include balance and resistance exercise where safe.
- Ask for medication review if dizziness or sedation contributes.
- Use appropriate walking aids if recommended.
When to see a doctor urgently
- A fall with inability to bear weight, deformity, severe pain or head injury.
When to see a doctor
- Falls are recurring.
- You are limiting activity because of fear of falling.
- There is known osteoporosis or previous hip/spine fracture.
YOUR CONSULTATION
What to Expect at Your Visit
- Detailed fracture history and review of menopause, steroid exposure, diet, medicines and family history.
- Assessment of height, weight and clinical risk factors.
- DXA bone-density scanning may be arranged when indicated.
- Blood tests look for secondary causes such as thyroid, calcium, vitamin D or parathyroid abnormalities when appropriate.
- Fracture risk is considered alongside bone density rather than using the T-score alone.
- Treatment may include nutrition, exercise, fall prevention and bone-specific medication according to individual fracture risk.
* IMPORTANT: A Note Before You Go
Osteoporosis is often silent until a fracture occurs. A low-trauma fracture is an important reason to assess bone health even when there were no previous symptoms.
This page provides general educational information and cannot replace an individual medical assessment. If symptoms are persistent, worsening or concerning, arrange appropriate medical review.
NEED AN ASSESSMENT?
Arrange an Endocrinology Consultation
For non-emergency assessment or follow-up, appointments are booked through the hospital’s central appointment desk on 0422 432 4433. For severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, seek urgent medical care rather than waiting for a routine appointment.