| Osteopenia and osteoporosis are both conditions of | | | | bone loss continues to worsen. |
| decreased bone density. The difference between | | | | Osteoporosis is a disease where the bones have |
| osteopenia and osteoporosis lies in the degree of | | | | become significantly brittle so that people in this |
| severity. | | | | group are at very high risk for debilitating bone |
| Osteopenia is defined as significant loss of bone | | | | fractures such as hip fractures and compression |
| mass. Generally, no symptoms are associated with | | | | fractures of the bones in the spine called vertebrae. |
| osteopenia. A diagnosis of osteopenia is important | | | | Vertebral compression fractures can lead to |
| mainly because people who have osteopenia are at | | | | significant back pain and can also lead to a severe |
| risk of develop osteoporosis in the future if their | | | | stooping of posture. |