Osteoporosis may first become apparent after a fracture. Recognizing possible fracture signs matters, but assessment should also consider your risk factors before symptoms develop.

Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission from purchases through them, at no additional cost to you.

Optional educational resource: You can review this commercial osteoporosis program. It cannot diagnose bone loss or assess new symptoms. Seek medical care rather than relying on a program if you suspect an injury.

Can You Feel Your Bones Getting Weaker?

Usually, no. Osteoporosis is often described as a silent disease because bone loss can progress without pain.

The absence of symptoms does not rule it out. Conversely, aches and pains do not automatically mean you have osteoporosis.

Our osteoporosis overview explains how bone density and structure affect fracture risk.

Changes That Deserve Attention

A Broken Bone After a Minor Fall

A fracture after a fall from standing height or less can be a reason to investigate bone health, particularly in an older adult.

Tell the treating clinician about earlier fractures as well. Once the immediate injury is addressed, ask whether you need an osteoporosis assessment.

New back pain or unexplained height loss may need assessment for a spinal compression fracture.

New Back Pain

A spinal fracture can cause sudden back pain, sometimes after a relatively minor movement. However, back pain has many other causes, including muscle strain and joint or disc problems.

Do not diagnose the cause yourself. New or severe back pain deserves prompt attention, especially if you already have osteoporosis.

Loss of Height

Noticeable height loss can be associated with vertebral fractures, although it can have other explanations.

If you have previous height measurements, bring them to your appointment. A clinician can assess whether the change needs investigation.

A New or Increasing Curve in the Upper Back

Spinal fractures can contribute to a more stooped posture. Posture changes alone do not prove osteoporosis, but a new change should not simply be dismissed as aging.

Avoid trying to force the spine straight through aggressive stretches. See our posture guide for further information.

Some spinal fractures produce little obvious pain. These signs are reasons for assessment, not a checklist that can exclude disease when absent.

When to Seek Urgent Help

Seek urgent assessment for sudden severe back pain, rapidly worsening pain, or back pain with fever or feeling generally unwell.

Get emergency care if back pain occurs with:

• New difficulty passing urine or loss of bladder or bowel control.
• Loss of feeling around the genitals or anus.
• Weakness, numbness or tingling in both legs.

These symptoms can indicate a serious spinal problem. Do not wait for a routine bone-density appointment.

For pain that persists, disrupts everyday activities or changes from your usual pattern, arrange a medical review. Our osteoporosis pain-management guide covers supportive care after assessment.

Before trying a commercial routine: Check this program’s current information and discuss proposed activities with your healthcare professional. A new pain problem needs assessment before you start exercises intended to address it.

What About Brittle Nails, Cramps or Joint Pain?

These symptoms have many possible explanations and cannot establish that you have low bone density.

Avoid online quizzes that diagnose osteoporosis from a collection of vague symptoms. Taking a supplement because you have cramps or brittle nails does not confirm—or treat—the underlying cause.

Describe persistent symptoms to your clinician so they can decide what assessment is appropriate.

Who Should Discuss Bone Health Even Without Symptoms?

A conversation may be worthwhile if you have a previous low-trauma fracture, a parent who fractured a hip, early menopause, low body weight, or a condition or medicine that can affect bones.

Long-term glucocorticoid treatment is one example of a medication-related risk. Do not stop prescribed medicines yourself; ask how their effects on bone health can be managed.

Age and other factors also influence screening decisions. Read our osteoporosis causes and risk factors guide for more context.

How Is Bone Loss Assessed?

A clinician may review your history, examine you and arrange a DXA bone-density scan. Suspected fractures may require separate imaging.

A bone-density scan measures density; it does not explain every cause of pain. Your symptoms and fracture history remain important even when scan results are available.

See our bone-density testing guide for details.

What Should You Bring to Your Appointment?

Write down:

• When the change or pain began.
• Whether it followed a fall, lifting or another activity.
• Previous fractures and how they happened.
• Any measured height change.
• Current medicines and supplements.
• How symptoms affect walking, sleep or daily tasks.

Ask what the findings mean, whether further tests are needed and what you should do while waiting.

If osteoporosis is diagnosed, our treatment guide can help you prepare questions about your options.

Optional further reading: This paid osteoporosis resource is available through an affiliate link. Purchasing it is not necessary to obtain a bone-health assessment or use the educational guides linked here.

Resources

• NIH NIAMS: Osteoporosis—Symptoms and Risk Factors
• NHS: Osteoporosis
• NHS: Back Pain and Urgent Warning Signs

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission from purchases through affiliate links, at no additional cost to you.

Medical disclaimer: This article provides general education and cannot diagnose bone loss or fractures. Seek professional assessment for new symptoms and emergency care for the warning signs described above.

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