When To Call A Professional

If you have risk factors for osteoporosis or if you have had a fracture with little or no trauma, review your options for evaluation and treatment with your doctor.

Prognosis

The outlook for people with osteoporosis is good, especially if the problem is detected and treated early. Bone density, even in severe osteoporosis, generally can be stabilized or improved, and the risk of fractures can be reduced by 50% or more after several years of treatment.

People with mild osteoporosis have an excellent outlook. Those who have a fracture can expect their bones to heal normally and the pain to go away within a week or two.

For people whose osteoporosis has a clear cause, such as prednisone use, the outlook is good if the cause is identified and corrected.

Additional Info

National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases - National Resource Center2 AMS Circle Bethesda, MD 20892-3676 Phone: (202) 223-0344 Toll-Free: (800) 624-2663 Fax: (202) 293-2356 TTY: (202) 466-4315 E-Mail: osteoinfo@osteo.org http://www.osteo.org/