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Print this page The Progression of Osteoporosis: An Orthopaedist's Challenge, © by Geoff Higgs, MD, photographer by Geoff Higgs, MD, photographer OSTEOPOROSIS Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a condition characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures, especially of the hip, spine, and wrist. Men as well as women at any age may suffer from osteoporosis. This conditions can be prevented and treated. For most people, prevention starts during youth when you have the chance to build your “bone bank.” By the time you reach your 30’s, you will be unable to build that bank for the future, but you can lead a lifestyle to maintain what you have built up in your “bone bank.” So you have osteoporosis, or maybe you’ve heard a lot about it and want to know more, or are you here because a friend or family member is affected and you want to know more, or do you just want to review prevention information? Think osteoporosis affects only women, or old people? Wrong. Read on, and explore our site. “I am a 15 year old girl. My life was going well until a few years ago when my shin started to hurt. I was diagnosed with bone cancer. I made it through months of chemotherapy and surgery to put my leg back together. I was starting to feel better. I am back in school full-time and have started to learn to drive. A couple of weeks ago, I lost my balance and slipped. I felt a new pain just above my knee. In the emergency room, they took an x-ray and told me I had broken the bone in my thigh. I saw the cancer doctor who did my surgery. She put me in a cast and had me do a test to check out my bones. My doctor tells me I have weak bones, called osteoporosis. I’m frustrated that just when I thought I had made it through one problem and was getting back to a normal life, I have another problem to deal with. I’m worried about falling again and breaking another bone.” Christine To learn more, select a subject from the column to your left.