Understanding Osteoporosis: Prognosis, Risks & Complications

Osteoporosis is a leading cause of disability in the elderly, according to the University of Washington. Hip or vertebrae fractures caused by osteoporosis can decrease mobility or impede breathing.

Lethality

• Osteoporosis is rarely thought of as causing death, according to the University of Washington. Patients with hip fractures, often caused by osteoporosis, however, have a 12 percent to 24 percent one-year mortality rate.

Pain

• Pain from osteoporosis only occurs after a bone breaks, according to the university. This condition may cause compression fractures in the spine, causing pain for up to two months.

Debilitation

• Osteoporosis may cause broken bones and deformity that are debilitating. Wearing tight clothing can increase likelihood of disfigurement.

Cure

• Some forms of osteoporosis can be cured, according to the University of Washington. The most common form of the disease, however, is caused by aging, and cannot be reversed.

Pregnancy

• Osteoporosis in women young enough to have children is rare, according to the university. The disease is often caused by some other condition, and a woman's ability to get pregnant would depend upon the underlying condition.