[Osteoporosis as a cause of pathological fractures].

More than a fifth of all females suffer from the risk to develop spinal osteoporosis. Hip fractures occur about 50,000 times per year in Federative Republic of Germany, about 1/3 in males and 2/3 in females. Estrogen deficiency is a risk factor of major importance for females; both sexes gain risk because of nutritional calcium deficiency and reduced mobility. Estrogen replacement therapy was proven to reduce the risk in females; and calcium supply reduces risk in both sexes. Therapy of developed spinal osteoporosis includes fluorides, calcium, vitamin D and calcitonin. No drug therapy has been developed so far for patients with senile osteoporosis and hip fractures.