INTRODUCTION
Osteoporosis, the most common bone disorder in humans,
is a major concern for aging persons, with significant
implications for morbidity and mortality. Osteoporosis
is defined as a skeletal disorder with compromised bone
strength as determined by bone density and bone qual»
ity. Specifically, bone mineral density (BMD) of 2.5 stan-
dard deviations or more below the young normal mean
at the hip or spine is osteoporosis and osteopenia is 1—2.5
standard deviations. In the United States of America, the
estimated cost of care in Z005 for osteoporotic related frat»
lures was $17 billion (NUF, ZUl()). There are nearly 9 mll—
lion osteoporotic-related fractures a year worldwide (WHO,
Z1 IU7). There are multiple risk factors, some of which are
amenable to lifestyle choices, as shown in Box 18.1.
Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCPs)
represent a significant challenge to societies and health