Tuesday, August 11, 2009 S.O. asks

Q: I had a bone density test which showed my hip bone to be normal and my spine to have osteoporosis

I recently had a bone density test which showed my hip bone as well within normal range and my spine as osteoporosic. I had previously (before surgery) been osteopenic in my spine and just normal in my hip. I had a disc replacement surgery 4 years ago - would this affect the test results? I am in my early 40s and had the surgery while in my 30s. I have been working hard these past few years to eat plenty of protein, calcium and get regular high impact exercise. Could this spinal reading be incorrect?

Thank you,

S.O.

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Answers (1)

Pam Flores, Health Guide

8/11/09 6:08pm

Hi S.O. welcome and thanks for your question. Sorry to hear about your t-scores and surgery! If they put in a cage, bone, or screws/rods where you had your surgery this can affect your t-score. Was the disc in the L1-4 area (lumbar) or somewhere else in the spine?

I have rods/screws, arthritis, and fusion in the lumbar area and they were only able to scan the spine above the hardware since these things will artificially raise your t-score.

If they were able to scan above the surgical site, or if you don't have any of these things in that area (fusion, cage, artificial disc, arthritis etc) it won't affect the score. When someone has these problems they will usually do a wrist scan along with the hip if there are things in the spinal area that will interfere.

If any of this applies let me know. Good luck with your treatment and be careful with your exercises, just make sure that you are following any post-op suggestions for exercise.

S.O.

8/11/09 7:03pm

Thank you for your speedy answer! The surgery was in the S4 S5 disc which was replaced with plastic held between metal in each vertebrae- yes the technician did the scan in that area - she did say that my doctor may ask for another scan - so perhaps that will be the wrist suggestion. Thank you for your information!

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Q: I had a bone density test which showed my hip bone to be normal and my spine to have osteoporosis

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