Abstract:Strontium is an essential in life trace element which plays a critical role in bone formation and maintenance.Advances of strontium（Sr）in treatment of osteoporosis were reviewed，including the dual functions of Sr in stimulating bone formation and repressing resorption；the physiochemical and molecular mechanisms of Sr on various signaling pathways；emphasis was placed on the information of the side effects and restrictions in therapeutic usage of strontium ranelate，the safety of strontium was introduced；suggestions were made on future research of strontium on osteoporosis，its other biological roles as well as the its basic nutritional and clinical data.