Osteoporosis and the impact on the foot

By Giulia Maruzza|2025-05-09T02:15:04+00:00April 17th, 2025|

osteoporosis and feet Melbourne podiatrist

When people think of osteoporosis, they often picture fragile hips or vertebrae that crumble with age. But one lesser-known area that osteoporosis can quietly affect is the foot — a part of the body that quite literally carries our entire weight and keeps us moving.

Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become weak, brittle, and more likely to fracture, due to a loss in bone density. With osteoporosis, the rebuilding process cannot keep up with the breakdown.

Why the Foot Matters in Osteoporosis

Your feet have 26 bones each, which means together they contain over a quarter of all the bones in your body. These bones work together with muscles, ligaments, and joints to absorb shock and push you forward with every step.

In osteoporosis, these bones are at greater risk of stress fractures — tiny cracks that can develop from repetitive force or even mild trauma. This is especially concerning because:

Feet carry your entire body weight.
We often do not notice foot fractures right away.
Foot pain might be brushed off as something minor — until it worsens.

Common Foot Problems Linked to Osteoporosis

Here are a few issues that can arise in the feet due to osteoporosis:

Stress Fractures

These are small cracks in the bones, often affecting the metatarsals (the long bones in the middle of the foot). They can occur even without a major injury.

Heel Pain or Calcaneal Fractures

The heel bone (calcaneus) can be affected, leading to deep heel pain that mimics plantar fasciitis but does not improve with typical treatments.

Collapse of Foot Arches

Osteoporotic weakening can contribute to adult-acquired flatfoot, especially if accompanied by posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. The weakened bones and tissues struggle to support the arch.

Osteoporosis Foot Symptoms

Foot symptoms with osteoporosis include:

Persistent or unusual foot pain without an obvious cause.
Swelling or tenderness over a bone.
Visible abnormalities or changes in gait.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoporosis in the Feet

If foot pain is persistent and osteoporosis is suspected or known, the below may be organised to confirm:

X-rays to detect fractures or bone thinning.
MRI or CT scans for more subtle fractures or stress reactions.
Bone density scans to assess overall bone health.

Treatment depends on the severity of the problem but often includes:

Appropriate footwear advice or Custom Orthotics to improve foot function.
CAM Walker to further offload the affected bone.
Rest and reduced weight-bearing.
Calcium and vitamin D supplementation.
Physical therapy to improve balance and prevent falls.

Our Melbourne Podiatrists can help with Osteporosis in the feet

Osteoporosis does not just affect your spine or hips — it can also sneak into your feet and disturb your mobility, independence, and quality of life. The good news is that with early recognition and the right care, you can keep your feet strong and resilient.

If you suspect your foot may experiencing symptoms such as pain and swelling in relation to Osteoporosis, our Melbourne Podiatrists can help determine this with effective care and treatment.