My doctor says my osteoporosis puts me at risk for spinal injuries. I'm 70 and not very active. What kind of problems do I need to watch out for?

As you know, osteoporosis results in bone loss and changes in skeletal structure. These can leave the spine vulnerable to compression fractures. Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) happen when the vertebral body collapses in height. VCFs don't necessarily come from intense activity. They can happen suddenly, after little or no trauma.

VCFs are common among patients with osteoporosis. There are about 700,000 VCFs in the United States each year. One-third of them results in ongoing pain. These fractures can also cause spinal problems and loss of function.

Talk with your doctor about what you can do to manage your osteoporosis and keep your spine healthy.