Management of Established Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis has been previously defined in 1993 as a disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to enhanced bone fragility and a consequent increase in fracture risk. This definition has been revised in 2001 as a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength with an increased risk of fracture. The reason for the revision is that bone mass only plays a part in the determination of bone strength which is the most important single endogenous factor that determines the propensity of a bone to fracture. The other important elements are the structural properties, the material properties, the microarchitecture and the degree of bone remodeling of the bone.