Because osteoporosis and osteopenia are not painful conditions, you will not know that you have either one unless you break a bone or you have bone mineral density testing. Naturally, if you suspect you have broken a bone, get medical help immediately. But in the following situations, you may be uncertain, so it is still wise to call your clinician:
- Pain and bruising following a fall that occurred without a lot of force or trauma could indicate that you have broken a bone. Don’t say to yourself, “It was only a little fall—I couldn’t have broken a bone.” While not common, it is important to discuss such injuries with your clinician.
- Back pain that comes on suddenly in the spine can mean that you have one or more vertebral fractures resulting from osteoporosis. This is different from the back pain associated with a muscle spasm. Even if you have just bent forward to reach for something or slipped in the bathtub, you can still get a fracture in your spine if you have osteoporosis.
One physical sign indicating that you have osteoporosis is loss of height. So, if you shrink in height as measured in your annual physical exam, you should ask to be screened for osteoporosis, particularly if your clinician doesn’t notice or doesn’t recommend screening.