Additional Resources

The biggest myth about osteoporosis – a condition that causes bones to weaken and fracture – is that it only affects older women. At least 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will break a bone due to osteoporosis in their lifetime.

However, it is possible to reduce fracture risk by eating a healthy diet, getting appropriate amounts of vitamin D and calcium, and doing strength and posture training to prevent falls.

If you want to learn more about bone health, you’ve come to the right place. Review frequently asked questions about osteoporosis, videos, articles and more on this resources page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a medical condition that leads to an increased risk of bone fracture. A person’s bones become weak or fragile, and more prone to breaking – even with limited trauma.

How does someone know if they have osteoporosis?

We tend to think of osteoporosis as a silent disease. People often don’t know they have it until they break a bone.

What is bone density?

Bone density is one measure of bone strength and is a way to monitor a person’s progress, or even help establish their osteoporosis diagnosis. Unfortunately, we do not currently have an effective means to measure bone quality.

What are the main risk factors for osteoporosis?

There are many different risk factors for osteoporosis (some can be changed and some can’t):

  • Age: As people get older, their risk of bone fracture or osteoporosis increases.
  • Gender: Osteoporosis affects more women than men. However, both men and women can be affected as they age.
  • Family history: Some families have a higher risk of osteoporosis.
  • Nutrition: Insufficient vitamin D and calcium can cause bones to weaken.
  • Exercise: Without weight-bearing and resistance exercises, bones and muscles weaken, leading to an increased risk of fracture.

What is the difference between arthritis and osteoporosis?

Arthritis and osteoporosis are two separate conditions. But there are areas where they can overlap and areas where they are different.

Arthritis can affect the joints and lead to inflammation. Osteoporosis can affect the bones. In some conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, patients may be at more risk of osteoporosis. In addition, medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, such prednisone and other steroids, can accelerate bone loss and increase osteoporosis risk.

What is the biggest myth about osteoporosis?

The biggest myth about osteoporosis is that it only affects women. It’s a condition that can affect women after menopause, but also men over 50. It can also affect younger patients – particularly when they are living with other medical conditions.

Another misconception about osteoporosis is that when a person falls and breaks a bone it is because of what they fell on or how they fell. For example, a fall on ice is because of the ice. We now know that a fall down three steps, or from as high as one meter, that leads to a fracture can be classified as a fragility fracture or one that would be consistent with osteoporosis.

Can osteoporosis lead to any serious complications?

Osteoporosis fractures can lead to an increased risk of death. For example, up to 1 in 5 Canadians can pass away following a hip fracture.

What is a fracture liaison service?

A fracture liaison service is a care model that helps identify patients that have had a recent fracture, connects with them and investigates their risk factors for osteoporosis, and then helps with the initiation of treatment.

We know that individuals who have had a previous fracture have an increased risk for future fractures. The hope is that fracture liaison services will help many people prevent further fractures.

Videos

Video Series on Exercise and Osteoporosis 

Osteoporosis Canada has developed a video series on exercise and osteoporosis in partnership with the University of Waterloo and Geriatric Education and Research in Aging Sciences Centre which provides ideas for safe and effective exercise and physical activity. This video series tells the stories of four very different people with osteoporosis and shows their innovative solutions to keep healthy and active.

Preventing Falls in Older Adults

Falls are a major health care problem for older adults. They account for 50 per cent of injury-related hospital admissions, 40 per cent of nursing home admissions, and a 10 per cent increase in home care services. Many adults over age 65 with arthritis are also physically frail, which increases their risk of falling. We are working to find ways to prevent serious falls in this vulnerable, growing population. Learn More

Articles + More

Osteoporosis is a silent disease. Here’s what experts say about how to prevent it.

Strengthening our bones early in life through diet and exercise is key, experts say. Osteoporosis is sometimes called a silent thief — you usually don’t know you have it until you break a bone. Read More

What do I need to know about osteoporosis?

An estimated one in three women and one in five men in Canada will break a bone due to osteoporosis. So how can we prevent it and keep our bones healthy? Learn More

New Research to Prevent Fractures in People with Osteoporosis Could Change Care Delivery in BC

Fragility fractures are a frequent consequence of osteoporosis, can happen spontaneously or with minimal injury, and often lead to a cycle of recurrent breaks and disability. New research will work to spread the adoption of a model that improves the care given to people after a fracture and prevent future injuries. Read More

Too Much or Too Little Calcium with Dr. David Hanley

When it comes to bone health, we all know calcium is at the top of the list. But like many things in life, it can be complicated. How much is enough? Can you get too much? And what does it do beyond strengthen our bones? In this Osteoarthritis Canada podcast, Dr. David Hanley, a Professor Emeritus and a member of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism in the Department of Medicine and in the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health at the University of Calgary, whose research has focused on calcium regulation and skeletal metabolism, discusses the importance of calcium, hyper and hypocalcemia and more. Listen Now

Do I Really Need to Care About My Bone Density?

The term “bone density” has become popular on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. But what does it mean? This article in The Cut, dives into bone density and osteoporosis. Read More

Helpful Links

Osteoporosis Canada

A national organization serving people with osteoporosis by providing education, advocacy, and strategic investment into osteoporosis research. Learn More

British Columbia Coalition of Osteoporosis Physicians

The British Columbia Coalition of Osteoporosis Physicians (BCCOP) was formed in 2018 to address deficiencies in osteoporosis care. The coalition brings together BC physicians, and allied health professionals, interested in representing patient care needs to those agencies responsible for making decisions on access to care. Learn More

Physicians Taking Osteoporosis Referrals in British Columbia

This is a search tool to help you find osteoporosis care providers in British Columbia. Learn More

Mary Pack Arthritis Program Arthritis Classes

The Mary Pack Arthritis Classes help you learn about the different kinds of arthritis and management techniques. These classes are offered mostly online, do not require a referral and are available to people living across British Columbia. Learn More

Northern Alberta Osteoporosis Program

Based out of Edmonton, this group focuses on empowering patients to make informed decisions on treatment approaches and lifestyle changes in order to live a healthy fracture-free life. Learn More

Covenant Health Osteoporosis Program

Covenant Health is a Catholic healthcare provider within Alberta’s integrated health system. They offer education and exercise programs in Edmonton at the Grey Nuns and Misericordia hospitals. Learn More

Dr. David Hanley Osteoporosis Centre

Based out of Calgary, this group focuses on providing osteoporosis care to the whole of Southern Alberta through education for patients and community healthcare providers. Learn More

24-Hour Movement Guidelines

Canada’s first ever 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults offer clear direction on what a healthy 24 hours looks like for Canadian adults aged 18-64 years and 65 years or older. Learn More

Otago Exercise Program

Developed by the New Zealand Falls Prevention Research Group, the Otago Exercise Program originated at the University of Otago, in Otago, New Zealand. The program is proven to decrease falls and fall-related injuries in high-risk older adults. It also helps reduce the risk of mortality. Learn More

Bone Fit

Bone Fit is evidence-informed exercise training for healthcare professionals and exercise practitioners. It was developed by Osteoporosis Canada in conjunction with experts in the area of osteoporosis and exercise to help patients with osteoporosis exercise safely. Learn More

I START Tool

The I START Tool was developed by Arthritis Research Canada scientists and is an education and conversation tool for co-developing muscle-strengthening exercise prescriptions for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Learn More

Finding Balance Alberta

Developed and led by the Injury Prevention Centre in Edmonton, Finding Balance is an education program and public awareness campaign to educate and empower older adults to stay independent and prevent falls. Learn More

MelioGuide

Based out of Ireland, this resource was created for men and women to safely and effectively build stronger bones, a stronger body, and reduce fall risk. Learn More

Dietitians of Canada

Dietitians are passionate about the potential of food to enhance lives and improve health. This website includes several articles about bone health. Learn More

British Columbia's Age Forward Strategy

In 2024, the Ministry of Health released Age Forward: BC’s 50+ Health Strategy and 3-year Action Plan, a targeted and proactive approach to aging, focusing on enhancing health, autonomy, and dignity for older adults in the province. Learn More

The Safe Living Guide: A Guide to Home Safety for Seniors

There’s no place like home—and sometimes it seems like there’s no place safer. For seniors, however, the home is where many injuries occur, and most of these are due to falls. Changes that are part of the normal aging process, such as declining vision, hearing, sense of touch or smell and bone density can increase the risk of injury. Learn More

National Osteoporosis Foundation

Coming from the United States, this organization is dedicated to preventing osteoporosis and broken bones, promoting strong bones for life, and reducing human suffering through programs of public and clinician awareness, education, advocacy, and research. Learn More