I’ve noticed some people mention a score for both left and right hips. Why do some people have measurements for both and others like me only for one?
Left, right or both hips?: I’ve noticed... - Bone Health and O...
Left, right or both hips?
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Fruitandnutcase
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In the UK they usually only scan one hip, on the basis that the other should be similar. Likewise the lower spine only on the basis the whole spine should be similar. They're using x-rays so, though only a very low dose, there's little justification for scanning more than necessary
Thanks for that. Yes it sounds like they only do the one side over here. Interesting about the whole spine being similar - way back in February before I started on AA my physiotherapist said if her numbers were like mine she would definitely take the tablets because if my lumber spine was what it was then higher up would be worse- not exactly cheering
Years ago - probably around 1985/6 when I had an MRI scan before having an epidural of steroids for a disc problem my consultant said there were lots of time fractures at the base of my spine - he seemed to think it was quite common and he said it came from babies / toddlers arching their backs when they were learning to walk. I’ve been wondering where that fits with my osteoporosis.
I've learnt something new there, I've never heard of toddlers getting tiny spinal fractures while they learn to walk! You'd think the body would be better adapted than that, plus the fractures would heal!
No neither did I, it seemed a bit odd but it seemed to make perfect sense to the consultant, I suppose if you think of the number of times babies land I their bottoms when they are starting to walk that could be a contributing factor too.
Don't know about fractures healing, you'd think they would, but if it's true that babies get tiny fractures as they learn to stand and walk upright it's an indication that we are still only imperfectly adapted to upright posture!
There's an interesting theory that humans actually evolved part of the time as water mammals which explains certain features we have in common with dolphins, for example, which are different from other primates. Possibly we should have stayed in the ocean as we behave like an invasive species where we are.
Wow, thank you for that, obviously evidence of those little fractures must be left behind and they showed up on my scans😊
When you have the OsteoScan, do they scan your entire spine?
No, exactly the same as a DEXA scan
Thanks for your reply. Interesting, as there's no radiation involved in the OsteoScan.
That's true. I don't know why they limit the area scanned, apart from making it comparable to the DEXA scan.
Seems a good opportunity to get more information without the low-level radiation exposure. I'm intrigued by Fruitandnutcase 's comment about tiny fractures at the base of the spine and her physio's comment about expecting lower bone density higher up the spine. Also found HeronNS 's evolution comment interesting. 
Thanks.
It was being told that if I was -3 lumbar spine then further up could well be worse that scared me into taking the alendronic acid.
I do wish I’d asked my back man more about the evidence of the tiny and very old fractures that he saw on the scan, he said it was quite a normal thing to see.
It’s a bit like I wish I’d asked the pharmacist who told me to take high strength vitamin C every day when I first started taking carbimazole for Graves’ Disease why he thought I should do that.
Perhaps the pharmacist was encouraging you to protect your liver from oxidative stress? Yet no recommendation for tomato extract?
researchgate.net/publicatio...
That is really interesting isn’t it. I just thought it was probably because vitamin C helps healing - interesting link to tomato extract though - I wonder if eating tomatoes counts too, I love tomatoes, I eat them like sweets 🍅
Maybe your ribs etc get in the way?
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