Drexel University: Development of Porous Swelling Copolymeric Bone Anchor for Orthopedic Applications In both conditions, bones become thinner and more porous due to the loss of minerals stored in the bones. Osteopenia and osteoporosis are usually painless until a bone breaks or fractures. What Is Osteoporosis?

Understanding the Context

Osteoporosis, which means "porous bone," is a condition that causes bones to gradually thin and weaken, increasing their risk of fractures. Osteoporosis means “porous bone.” Viewed under a microscope, healthy bone looks like a honeycomb. When osteoporosis occurs, the holes and spaces in the honeycomb are much larger than in healthy bone. Osteoporotic bones have lost density or mass and contain abnormal tissue structure.

Key Insights

Osteoporosis literally means ‘porous bone’. It is a condition where bones become thin and lose their strength, as they become less dense and their quality is reduced. This can lead to broken bones, which cause pain, disability, and make everyday activities extremely difficult. Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by low bone mass (osteopenia), micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to more porous bone, and consequent increase in fracture risk. Osteoporosis is a disease of progressive bone loss associated with an increased risk of fractures.

Final Thoughts

The term osteoporosis literally means "porous bone." The disease often develops unnoticed over many years, with no symptoms or discomfort until a fracture occurs. osteoporosis, disease characterized by the thinning of bones, with a consequent tendency to sustain fractures from minor stresses. Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease, and its name literally means “porous bone.” The disorder is most common in postmenopausal women over age 50.