Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue which results in consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture and more common in post-menopausal women and elderly people. Fractures in osteoporotic bones can be prevented by simple methods like early detection by certain investigative methods like DEXA and its treatment. A questionnaire was devised to assess knowledge of osteoporosis, its risk factors, risk reducing factors, complications and required treatment along with investigations. It was completed by 97 patients who attended the orthopedic outpatient department. Overall knowledge about osteoporosis was poor. 57.73% patients were aware about osteoporosis, 50.01% were aware about its preventive measures, regarding risk factors (for alcohol only 33.33% could identify it as a risk factors, similarly for smoking scored 29.62%, malnutrition had 16.66%, lack of exercise had 3.7%, gender scored 11.11% and drugs scored 5.55%). Merely 29.89% and 7.21% were aware about the complications and investigations respectively. Knowledge about osteoporosis amongst patients was found low. There is a need for public to be made more aware about osteoporosis and its causes. With the help of social media and national campaigns, people can be well educated about this disorder.

Keywords: Osteoporosis, Fracture, Post-menopausal, Systemic, Skeletal, DEXA