Osteoporosis. Coloured X-ray of the hip of a 43 year old woman showing reduced bone density (brown patchy area) in the head of the thigh bone (femur, centre right). This is known as 'brittle bone disease' or osteoporosis. In osteoporosis the bones lose mass, becoming weak and brittle, and the head of the femur is a common place for an osteoporotic fracture. Osteoporosis occurs most frequently in women after the menopause, as the ovaries cease production of the oestrogen hormones that help maintain bone mass. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may help to reduce bone loss, while regular exercises keep joints strong and supple.

Photo website with Rights Managed and Royalty Free stock photos, images, illustrations and footage available for download immediately for commercial and editorial uses. Aflo is a leading independent supplier and producer of stock pictures and visual content. Search and find high quality images and video for design, print, web-use and publishing. Buy photos from our extensive collection of model released and property released sports images. Search some of the most beautiful travel and landscape pictures from our own photographers and license from our large collection of content, modern and archive, focusing on Japan. We provide free research. Register for personal account management and for full use of our Stock Photography website and start to download images now.