OSTEOPENIA Flashcards
What are the two categories of Osteopenia ?
Generalised osteopenia and localised osteopenia.
What are the causes of generalised osteopenia ?
Metabolic changes, deficiency with blood flow or congenital conditions.
When is generalised Osteopenia usually seen ?
post menopausal changes and with old age.
How does Post menopausal osteopenia (type 1 Osteoporosis) usually occur ?
Reduced Oestrogen levels following menopause results in loss of cancellous bone. Then proceeds to loss of cortical bone.
In post menopausal (type 1 Osteopenia) which areas are mostly affected ?
Hips
Spine
Metaphysis/epiphysis of long bones
(These are areas of high levels of cancellous bone)
What is age related/ senile osteopenia also known as ?
Type 2 Osteoporosis.
How does age related Osteoporosis occur ?
There is a reduction in the rate of bone formation.
In old age what gender is affected more by Osteoporosis ?
Females.
Males tend to develop more bone mass during puberty.
What is localised Osteopenia ?
Reduction in bone density in one specific region.
What causes localised Osteopenia ?
Infection
pain
Disuse
Immobilisation.
Name a condition that can cause localised Osteopenia ?
Complex regional pain syndrome.
What are the radiographic appearances of Osteopenia ?
Altered trabeculae pattern.
Cortical thinning.
What regions do trabeculae loss occur first ?
In non- weight bearing regions. In the areas that are weight bearing the trabeculae pattern may appear more prominent.
How much bone loss needs to occur for it to be visualised on Xray ?
30-50 percent.
Is Xray sensitive to diagnose Osteopenia ?
No
DEXA should be used.
