does one month ago back surgery (tlift, Plift) plus hardware to stabilize L4 L5 affect dexi scan results.

one month ago had surgery Tlift, Plift plus 4 pedical screws and two Rods to stablize L4 L5 vertebrae. I am due a dexiscan now since two years prior was the last one; but can delay until I fully recover. I am told; for the bone to properly fuse the L4 L5 can take up to 6 to 9 months for the new bone to fill in and become solid (fused). Does anyone know if I should just wait 6 to 9 months or even longer to make sure dexi scan result isn’t affected by the space in the vertibrae as a result of the surgery?

I previously was on Prolia 5 years and then Reclast infusions two more years and then two years on zero bone drugs to present. (Density scores had improved two years ago out of any issues) I was using a Myodyne LIV vibration plate every day and doing pickle ball three times a week plus’s walking dog up and down hills up until my sciatica pain developed in last March2024. I had P/ T and epidurals since March 2024 and had to stop all activities mentioned; from March; nothing helped for very long. Surgery has been successful

[yogalibrarian]

My recommendation is to consult with the staff (radiologist, radiology technician, clinical densitometrist, or whoever does or reads the scans) at the facility.

The hardware -- screws, rods, etc. -- and the vertebrae they are attached to have to be excluded from the scans. A good DXA technician knows how to do that. (And the ISCD -- International Society for Clinical Densitometry -- DXA Atlas can provide them guidance.)

As more of the normal scan field that has to be excluded because of "artifacts" the less precise the scan will be.

The materials used in fusion may also compromise the scan data.

Unless the hardware extends into the hip, that scan should still be usable. And many DXA facilities also will do a wrist/forearm scan to provide additional information, especially if they cannot use the hip or spin scan.

This all needs to be part of a conversation with an expert. It's probably too specialized for your PCP but an orthopedist or a radiologist might have a better understanding.

[Hidden in reply to yogalibrarian]

Good idea! Thanks for sharing this information. I will ask the radiologist