| Osteoporosis, a skeletal disorder of low bone density and disrupted bone architecture leading to fractures, is a common and serious condition in postmenopausal women. Osteoporosis is a kind of latent disease before the fracture, and it is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Osteoporotic fractures often cause pain, deformity, and decreased mobility and can have a significant impact on the patient’s quality of life. It is well known that estrogen is an important protective factor for the maintenance of normal bone mass. The reduction of estrogen level in postmenopausal women is associated with a rapid bone loss. After menopause, the rate of bone remodeling increases, which accelerates bone loss owing to this inherent imbalance, eventually resulting in osteoporosis. The main purpose of intervention in postmenopausal osteoporosis is to prevent fractures. The most common fracture sites are vertebrae (spine), proximal femur (hip), and distal forearm (wrist). Hip fracture is the most devastating consequence of osteoporosis, often resulting in profound disability and early mortality. In view of the particularity of postmenopausal osteoporosis and the severity of hip fracture, it is very important to understand the effect of postmenopausal osteoporosis on the proximal femur. |