Osteology & Osteoporosis

The optimal function of the musculoskeletal system is an essential prerequisite for physical well-being and satisfaction. Disturbances of the muscle or bone metabolism can lead to noticeable impairments, but also to illnesses, which often result in a bone fracture.

For example, a bone density measurement can be used to determine whether there is a reduction in the bone mineral salt content and whether the risk of bone fracture is possibly increased. Timely detection of bone mass loss can protect against bone fractures if adequate diagnostic and therapeutic measures are taken.

Primary diseases of the bone

There is hardly any disease that cannot also make itself felt on the bone. In addition, a number of drugs can cause side effects on the bone. The main symptom is pain and/or increased bone fragility with all the resulting dangers. This can affect the spine as well as the extremity bones.

Bone diseases as a consequence of other diseases

Osteodensitometry

Why osteodensitometry?

Bone density measurement (osteodensitometry) is used for the early detection of bone thinning or reduced bone strength (osteoporosis), even before a bone fracture has occurred. This allows the specialist to detect an imminent risk of fracture early enough and take countermeasures in time.
The earliest complications of osteoporosis are vertebral fractures, usually caused by banal everyday movements such as turning quickly, lifting, carrying, which usually go unnoticed, but mean a 5-fold higher risk of suffering further fractures within the next twelve months. These must be prevented!
The health and social consequences of osteoporosis are considerable. For example, the mortality rate after a fracture of the neck of the femur within the first year is between 20 and 30 percent. In the USA, the costs of osteoporosis-related fractures and their consequences (hospitalisation, need for care) amounted to around 14 million dollars per year. That is why the professional societies, as well as the World Health Organisation (WHO), recommend: Diagnosis before the first fracture! After the fracture, there is a 50 to 100 percent risk of further fractures. But: prevention of fractures is possible with early diagnosis.
Preventive measures: non-medicinal measures such as hip protectors in case of increased risk of falls, physical training, dietary changes, adaptation of the home environment (i.e. elimination of all potential sources of falls such as carpet edges, poor lighting) and a variety of medicinal measures that are very effective.

How should it be measured?

On the one hand, there are different measurement sites for determining bone density: lumbar spine, femoral neck, forearm, calcaneus, but also different methods. Here, however, only the so-called DXA method (Dual-Energy X-ray Ab-sorption, a special X-ray procedure, but with very low radiation exposure, comparable to spending a day outdoors) has the best predictive value for an increased risk of fracture. Only this method is recommended by the professional societies today (cf. the guidelines of the German-speaking osteological societies DVO, cf. also www.Bergmannsheil.de/leitlinien-dvo). Recommended measurement sites are the spine or the thigh.

Osteodensitometry compares the bone density with that of a younger adult. This deviation is reflected in the so-called T-score; from a T-score of -2.5, osteoporosis with an increased risk of fracture is present by definition. The greater this minus deviation, the more pronounced the bone thinning and the greater the risk of fracture.

For whom are the measurements useful?

Risk factors for an increased risk of osteoporosis:

older age and post-menopausal women, especially women with early menopause (before the age of 45)
Women who have already suffered a bone fracture
Decrease in height since the age of 25 by at least four centimetres
low body weight
Physical inactivity or even immobility
First-degree family members with fractures of the femur after the age of 50
Patients who have taken or will have to take cortisone for a long time (7.5mg prednisone daily for 6 months or longer; this applies especially to patients with rheumatic diseases, asthma and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases).

How often should one have measurements taken?

If a reduction in bone density is detected and therapy is then initiated, it is recommended to have a control measurement after one year to check the success of the therapy and possibly intensify the therapy. However, the control intervals also depend on the duration of cortisone treatment and the activity of the underlying disease - or possible new fractures.

Osteoporosis check

We now offer an osteoporosis check with measurement of bone density (DXA measurement).

The measurement is used for early detection of bone thinning or osteoporosis, even before a bone fracture has occurred. This makes it possible to detect an imminent risk of fracture at an early stage and to take countermeasures in good time.

If you answer YES to several of the following questions, make an appointment for a DEXA measurement today.

I have

Frequent pain in the spine that increases during the day and with exertion, especially when lifting, carrying or standing for a long time
an increasing feeling of stiffness in the spine
the impression of an increasing hunchback
I have the impression that my height has decreased significantly.
have to take cortisone frequently
already suffered a bone fracture after the age of 40, without having had a serious accident
Family members who have a strong hunchback and have suffered several bone fractures

I am

female
in the menopause, which for me came very early (before the age of 45).
rather not a friend of dairy products
Smoker
rather petite in stature
not a fan of sporting activities

Osteology at Stephansplatz Hamburg

At Stephansplatz, the consultative co-assessment is carried out by Prof. Dr. Michael Amling, Director of the Institute of Osteology of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf and head of the certified special outpatient clinic for osteology and musculoskeletal diseases, or by his Deputy Prof. Dr. Florian Barvencik.

More information about the Institute of Osteology and Biomechanics:

The clinical activities of both specialists focus on the prevention and acute treatment of osteoporosis, fatigue fractures (stress fractures), bone metabolism disorders, bone edema and rare musculoskeletal diseases.