A common misconception is that osteopenia is the same as osteoporosis. While both conditions mean that bone density is less than that of normal bone, only osteoporosis is associated with a significantly increased risk of bone fracture.
Whereas a diagnosis of osteoporosis reflects bone disease, a diagnosis of osteopenia is primarily meant to draw attention to decreasing bone density – that might eventually progress to osteoporosis – and the importance of maintaining bone health. Most experts agree that osteopenia is not a cause for alarm and does not usually need to be treated, with the exception of more attention being paid to calcium and vitamin D intake (if deficiencies can be documented via a blood test), along with exercise (see: "What about the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis?".
While it is true that men and women diagnosed with osteopenia are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis over a five- to ten-year period, only a percentage of people with osteopenia will eventually develop osteoporosis and experience a serious fracture.
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