We measured the extent and rate of new bone formation over an 18-month period before, during and after the lengthening of ten leg segments in six patients aged between 8 and 18 years, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). New bone formation could be identified within one week of the start of distraction. As lengthening proceeded, the bone density of the gap fell, reaching minimum values at the time of maximal distraction. Consolidation of the regenerating bone was started 1 to 2 weeks later in the tibia, and 2.5 to 3.0 weeks later in the femur. The rate of mineral accretion in new bone was significantly greater in the tibia than in the femur (16 +/- 1.86%/month, and 11 +/- 1.1%/month respectively; mean +/- SEM). There was significant osteoporosis distal to the osteotomy, more in the tibia than in the femur, particularly on the side of the fixator. The bone mineral density of the distal segment remained low at the time of fixator removal (44.2 +/- 5.58% and 61.0 +/- 4.2% of the control values at the tibia and femur respectively) and was only partially reversed by subsequent weight-bearing. We conclude that dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry provides an objective and quantitative assessment of new bone formation during leg lengthening. The technique also allows the measurement of the distraction gap and the assessment of leg alignment from the high-resolution images. Its use may decrease the requirements for conventional radiography

We evaluated changes in bone mineral density (BMD) after tibial fractures, both at the site of fracture and at adjacent sites, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Five patients were studied prospectively for six months after fractures of the midshaft treated by intramedullary nailing or the application of an external fixator. We also reviewed 21 adult and 10 children who had sustained fractures of the tibia at least five years previously, comparing BMD in the injured limb with that in the non-injured limb and in a control group of 10 normal subjects. We found a significant fall in BMD distal to a tibial fracture; this was evident at one month, fell to approximately 50% of normal at three months and persisted at six months. We found no significant improvement with weight-bearing. Review at 5 to 11 years after adult midshaft fractures showed persistent bone loss in the distal tibia (46.5 +/- 9.8% of control values), but persisting sclerosis at old fracture sites (172 +/- 38% of control values). In contrast, we found no significant differences in BMD between the injured and control limb after fractures sustained in childhood either at the fracture site or in the distal segment. We conclude that, in adults, tibial fractures are associated with definite and persistent post-traumatic loss of distal BMD

Purpose: The goal of this study was to evaluate the use of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to subjectively assess distraction osteogenesis callous regenerate strength to aid in the determination of when to remove the external fixator device in patients undergoing distraction osteogenesis for limb length discrepancies. Methods: All patients that underwent distraction osteogenesis with either an Ilizarov or Orthofix frame from 1984 to 2005 at the Montréal Shriners Hospital Canada that had monthly DEXA scans prior to removal of their external fixators were included. The fixators were removed once two consecutive DEXA scans showed that the bone mineral density (BMD) had plateaued with a less than 10% successive increase in BMD. A retrospective chart and radiographical review was performed to assess the healing index and post fixator removal complications. Results: 30 patients underwent 32 corrections. There were 29 lengthenings and 3 lengthenings with angular corrections. The average lengthening was 5.4 cm (3.6–9.1). The healing index average was 49 days/cm (20–77). All patients were progressed from partial to full weightbearing within 6 weeks of fixator removal. There were 2 post removal fractures. One patient fractured through the regenerate and another fractured through a proximal pin site. Conclusions: Current methods of assessing distraction osteogenesis callous prior to removal of fixator are objective methods based on plain radiographs that have been shown to have poor interobserver reliability. Fractures occurring after fixator removal range between 10–15%. Using DEXA to determine when the regenerate bone mineral density and thus bone strength has plateaued yielded a post fixator removal regenerate fracture rate of 3% in our review. This new method of subjectively assessing the regenerate as compared to other objective radiological methods is a reliable alternative that safely predicts when to remove the fixator with a low post removal fracture rate while maintaining an acceptable bone healing index

Objectives. Researchers continue to seek easier ways to evaluate the quality of bone and screen for osteoporosis and osteopenia. Until recently, radiographic images of various parts of the body, except the distal femur, have been reappraised in the light of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) findings. The incidence of osteoporotic fractures around the knee joint in the elderly continues to increase. The aim of this study was to propose two new radiographic parameters of the distal femur for the assessment of bone quality. Methods. Anteroposterior radiographs of the knee and bone mineral density (BMD) and T-scores from DXA scans of 361 healthy patients were prospectively analyzed. The mean cortical bone thickness (CBTavg) and the distal femoral cortex index (DFCI) were the two parameters that were proposed and measured. Intra- and interobserver reliabilities were assessed. Correlations between the BMD and T-score and these parameters were investigated and their value in the diagnosis of osteoporosis and osteopenia was evaluated. Results. The DFCI, as a ratio, had higher reliability than the CBTavg. Both showed significant correlation with BMD and T-score. When compared with DFCI, CBTavg showed better correlation and was better for predicting osteoporosis and osteopenia. Conclusion. The CBTavg and DFCI are simple and reliable screening tools for the prediction of osteoporosis and osteopenia. The CBTavg is more accurate but the DFCI is easier to use in clinical practice. Cite this article: Q-F. He, H. Sun, L-Y. Shu, Y. Zhu, X-T. Xie, Y. Zhan, C-F. Luo. Radiographic predictors for bone mineral loss: Cortical thickness and index of the distal femur. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:468–475. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.77.BJR-2017-0332.R1

Introduction. Precision error (PE) in Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) is important for accurate monitoring of changes in Bone-Mineral-Density (BMD). It has been demonstrated that BMD PE increases with increasing BMI. In vivo PE for the Trabecular-Bone-Score (TBS) has not been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term PE (STPE)) of BMD and TBS and to investigate the effect of obesity on DXA PE. Method. DXA lumbar spine scans (L1–L4) were performed using GE Lunar Prodigy. STPE was measured in 91 women (Group A) at a single visit by duplicating scans with repositioning in-between. PE was calculated as the percentage coefficient of variation (%CV). Group A was sub-divided into four groups based on BMI (A.1. <25kg/m2, A.2. 25–29.9kg/m2, A.3. 30–35kg/m2 and A.4. >35kg/m2) to assess the effect of obesity on STPE. Abnormally different vertebrae were excluded from the analysis in accordance with The International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) recommendations. Results. The Group A STPE was 1.26 % for BMD and 2.04% for TBS. Short-term PE for BMD and TBS respectively in the BMI subgroups was: A.1. 1.07% and 1.82%, A.2. 1.34% and 2.26%, A.3. 1.25% and 2.35%, A.4. 1.68% and 1.82%. Conclusion. The results show that STPE is higher for TBS than for BMD. Short-term PE for both BMD and TBS are adversely affected by increasing BMI but this effect is mitigated in the highest BMI category where use of the ‘thick’ scanning mode improves signal to noise ratio

We used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to measure the bone mineral content (BMC) of both tibiae in 13 patients who had been treated for a tibial fracture by rigid plate fixation. Within two weeks of plate removal the BMC was significantly greater in the bone that had been under the plate than at the same site in the control tibia. An unplated area of bone near the ankle showed a significant decrease in BMC at the time of plate removal with subsequent return to the level of the control tibia during the ensuing 18 months. We conclude that osteoinductive influences outweigh the potential causes of osteopenia, such as stress shielding and disuse, and that, contrary to expectation, demineralisation is not a factor in the diminished strength of the tibia after plating for fracture

Background. Although there are predictive equations that estimate the total fat mass obtained from multiple-site ultrasound (US) measurements, the predictive equation of total fat mass has not been investigated solely from abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness. Therefore, the aims of this study were; (1) to develop regression-based prediction equations based on abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness for predicting fat mass in young- and middle-aged adults, and (2) to investigate the validity of these equations to be developed. Methods. The study was approved by the Local Research Ethics Committee (Decision number: GO 19/788). Twenty-seven males (30.3 ± 8.7 years) and eighteen females (32.4 ± 9.5 years) were randomly divided into two groups as the model prediction group (19 males and 12 females) and the validation group (8 males and 6 females). Total body fat mass was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness was measured by US. The predictive equations for total fat mass from US were determined as fat thickness (in mm) × standing height (in m). Statistical analyses were performed using R version 4.0.0. The association between the total fat mass and the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness was interpreted using the Pearson test. The linear regression analysis was used to predict equations for total body fat mass from the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness acquired by US. Then these predictive equations were applied to the validation group. The paired t-test was used to examine the difference between the measured and the predicted fat masses, and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) was used as a further measure of agreement. Results. There was a significant positive moderate correlation between the total fat mass and the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness × height in the model prediction group of males (r = 0.588, p = 0.008), whereas significant positive very strong correlation was observed in the model prediction group of females (r = 0.896, p < 0.001). Predictive equations for DXA-measured total body fat mass from abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness using US were as follows: for males “Fat mass-DXA = 0.276 × (Fat thickness-US × Height) + 17.221” (R. 2. = 0.35, SEE = 3.6, p = 0.008); for females “Fat mass-DXA = 0.694 x (Fat thickness-US × Height) + 7.085” (R. 2. = 0.80, SEE = 2.8, p < 0.001). When fat mass prediction equations were applied to the validation groups, measured- and estimated-total fat masses in males and females were found similar (p = 0.9, p = 0.5, respectively). A good level of agreement between measurements in males and females was attained (CCC = 0.84, CCC = 0.76, respectively). Conclusion. We developed and validated prediction equations that are convenient for determining total fat masses in young- and middle-aged adults using abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness obtained from the US. The abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness obtained from a single region by US might provide a noninvasive quick and easy evaluation not only in clinical settings but also on the field

We studied the quantity and rate of formation of new bone during lengthening of 17 limb segments in 10 patients using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), ultrasonography and radiography. Whereas new bone was detected by both DEXA and ultrasonography within 1 to 2 weeks of distraction, it was not visible on the radiographs until 4 to 8 weeks. Limb alignment and gap measurement were accurately assessed by DEXA without the need for standard radiographs or scanograms. With ultrasound the distraction gap appeared as an echolucent window which narrowed progressively producing a hyper-reflecting line after which further consolidation could not be assessed. As measured by DEXA the density of the new bone at this stage was approximately 45% of control values and did not represent normal cortication. Whereas ultrasound could be used to identify defects in mineralisation and to determine when to dynamise the fixator system, DEXA could measure the quantity and rate of formation of bone throughout lengthening

Introduction and Aims: This study evaluated the proximal femoral remodelling associated with three uncemented femoral prostheses of different designs and surface treatments. We hypothesised that less bone loss will occur over time with a titanium implant designed for proximal stress transfer compared to a more rigid stem that produces diaphyseal loading. Method: During total hip arthroplasty (THA), patients were implanted with either: AML cobalt-chrome alloy porous-coated stem (11 patients), Osteonics titanium alloy hydroxyapatite-coated stem (13 patients), or Sulzer titanium alloy hydroxyapatite-coated stem (eight patients). All patients followed the same surgical and post-surgical protocol for THA. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans of the operated proximal femur were performed on all patients pre-operatively, three to seven days post-operatively, and then six weeks, six months, and annually up to five years post-operatively. Longitudinal changes in bone mineral density (BMD) were compared within and between the two groups. Results: Using the first post-op DEXA scan as baseline, the percent change in BMD (g/cm. 2. ) at one year was −17.06% in patients implanted with the AML stem. The percent change in BMD at one year was −3.06% in the Osteonics group and in the Sulzer group, the percent change in BMD at one year was −4.11%. The greater bone loss observed with the AML stem was found to be statistically different than the bone loss observed with the other two stems. These findings continued at three and five years post-operatively. Conclusion: There was a trend toward less bone atrophy and preservation of bone stock in patients implanted with both the HA and Sulzer stems. Extensively coated, diaphyseal-fitting, CoCr stems (AML) definitely caused greater bone loss, both proximally and in the diaphysis

Purpose: Bone remodelling and osteolysis around total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a highly debated subject in the medical literature. Such bone behaviour is poorly understood around femoral stems used in revision THA. The main problem is to obtain an objective assessment of bone remodelling and bone reconstruction over time, reconstruction techniques being very variable. Conventional radiology is insufficient, but dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) provides a means of following changes in the bone around first intention femoral stems. Material and methods: We studied bone behaviour around revision femoral stems using the non-cemented “P.P. system”. This type of femoral stem is implanted after trochanter osteotomy to facilitate access and stimulate reconstruction. The series included 31 patients who underwent revision total hip arthroplasty. Follow-up examinations included standard radiographs and DEXA of the operated hips, the contralateral hip and the lumbar spine. Periprosthetic zones defined by Grüen were compared with the same zones in the contra-lateral femur. Mean follow-up was six years. Results: The standard radiographs did not demonstrate any significant change in periprosthetic cortical thickness. The DEXA demonstrated a significant an average 19.97% reduction in bone density in zones 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. There was no significant difference in zone 7 and an increase in zone 1 (torchanter osteotomy). These figures are to be compared with the variable thickness observed for first intention pros-theses even shortly after implantation. Discussion: Our results are the first to our knowledge demonstrating the behaviour of bone around revision femoral stems. Conclusion: Digastric trochanterotomy appears to be an effective means of stimulating reconstruction of the proximal femur. At equivalent follow-up, the quadrangular section of the revision P.P. stem is more favourable in terms of bone loss compared with first intention stems

The measurement of bone mineral density in defined areas around metal implants has improved with the development of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We used this technique to compare the bone mineral density adjacent to metal cementless femoral implants with that of identical regions of bone in normal proximal femora. We studied the anteroposterior views only of 72 femora which contained total hip implants and 34 non-operated femora. We compared the regional bone mineral density of bone adjacent to proximally porous-coated and distally porous-coated implants of one design, to measure the relative differences in the remodelling changes induced by different amounts of porous coating. We also measured differences in bone density with time and with variations in implant size (and therefore stiffness). The greatest decrease in bone mineral density (34.8%) occurred in the most proximal 1 cm of the medial femoral cortex around relatively stiff, extensively porous-coated implants. The next most severe decrease (20% to 25%) was in the next most proximal 6 cm of the medial femoral cortex. Small, progressive decreases in bone mineral density continued for five to seven years after implantation

Aim: To compare the difference in periprosthetic bone density between cemented and uncemented total hip replacement at a minimum follow up of 10 years. Patients and methods: We looked at a cohort of 17 patients who have had bilateral total hip replacement with cemented Charnley total hip on one side and uncemented Furlong total hip on the other side between 1984 and 1994 (minimum follow up 10 years). Harris and Oxford hip scores were used to determine the function, SF 36 was used to measure quality of life and Dual energy X-Ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan was used to quantify bone mineral density adjacent to the prosthesis. The results from the DEXA scan for cemented and the uncemented hips were analysed using Paired samples two tailed t-tests. To compare the Harris hip scores, a non-parametric Wilcoxon test was used. Pearson correlations were carried out to examine the relationship between the bone density measures (averaged for each zone) and the quality of life measures. Results: Bone mineral density was higher on the Furlong side in Gruen Zones 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the proximal femur and DeLee Charnley Zone 1 of the acetabulum. In all other zones there was no statistical difference. Comparison of Harris hip scores and Oxford hip scores showed no statistically significant difference between the two hips (p = 0.108). Age is negatively correlated with bone density in Gruen zones 6 and 7 and acetabular zones 2 and 3. Conclusion: Bone density is better preserved around the uncemented HAC coated stem compared to the Charnley cemented stem

Introduction: Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) measurement is a valuable and accurate method of assessing periprosthetic bone loss around femoral stems. Method: The cohort was 21 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasties with double-threaded, cone-shaped, modular, femoral stems and who already had a prosthetic contralateral hip. The contralateral hip arthroplasties were Autophur fully porous coated, Exeter cemented and Charnley cemented stems. DEXA measurements were performed in the anteroposterior femoral plane using a Lunar DPXL densitometer and analysed using the Lunar Orthopaedic Software Package, Version 1.7, designed for periprosthetic measurements. The initial measurement was performed between two and four weeks after the surgery as a baseline and then repeated after three, six, 12 and 24 months. The DEXA scan results were analysed comparing the bone density of the double-threaded cone-shaped modular femoral stem side with the contralateral side in a longitudinal study. Results: The contralateral hip bone quality remained fairly constant in keeping with the maturity of the hip arthroplasties. The insertion of the double-threaded cone-shaped modular femoral stem caused the expected initial bone loss in Gruen zones one and seven due to proximal stress-shielding. Only minor bone loss occurred distally, reflecting good fixation and load transfer of the prosthesis

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long term changes in bone mineral density (BMD) following implantation of a low-modulus composite femoral component designed to closely match the stiffness of the proximal femur and minimize stress shielding. Specifically, we asked: 1) How does BMD in the proximal femur change with time and with Gruen zone location; 2) Does BMD in the proximal femur stabilize after two years of implantation?

Purpose: With appropriate software, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) provides a means of measuring periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) reliably and reproducibly in a single plane. The current method has been improved since the first reports by MacCarthy in 1991. Material and methods: Since 1992, two series of total hip arthroplasty femoral prostheses using a ceramic-polyethylene cup with a TA6V4 stem were implanted with cement (group A 25 SAS crystal anatomic stems, 22.2 head) or without cement (group B, 27 Euroform stems with hydroxyapatite surfacing on the upper 2/5, 28 head). The patients were followed prospectively with DEXA to measure BMD in the seven Gruen zones immediately after surgery, at six and twelve months, then every year to last follow-up. Mean follow-up was 74 months (36–166). A visual analogue scale was used for subjective assessment of pain. The clinical Harris score and radiological findings were also recorded. Results: At last follow-up none of the prostheses had required revision surgery. The Harris score was greater than 90 for both groups (mean 91.4 and 95.4 for groups A and B respectively). Radiologically, there were no progressive lucent lines in the two groups but there were three stable lines (zone V, VII, VII, II) without clinical expression in group A and two (zone II, I) with persistent thigh pain in group B. Two migrations of less than 3 mm were also found in group A and four of more than 3 mm in group B. For the two groups, DEXA showed a diffuse reduction in BMD during the first six months that was statistically significant only for zones I and VII for the Euroform implant and for zone VII for the SAS Crystal implant. There was also a significant difference between the two prostheses for zone I. Modifications were not significant at three years and a last follow-up for the distal regions (II, II, V, VI). For group A (SAS Crystal), the reduction was 5.8% at three years and 5.7% at last follow-up for zone I and 18% at three years and 19% at last follow-up for zone VII. For group B, the reduction was 12.6 at three years and 11.4% at last follow-up for zone I and 17.4% at three years and 21.3% at last follow-up for zone VII. Discussion: The correlations showed that variations in BMD were independent of the initial bone mineral content, patient age or sex, and were not significantly different between the two cemented or non-cemented implants. Patients with painful thighs (two in group A and six in group B) had a different pattern of BMD over time, showing less pronounced reduction in the proximal zones I and VII and marked bone resorption in zones III and V, an expression of different stress transmission. Conclusion: This study provided the longest longitudinal radiological and clinical follow-up reported in the literature which, despite the bias introduced by the different types of implants, shows the reliability and reproducibility of DEXA of periprosthetic bone mineral density used to assess implant tolerance and quality of cementing

Introduction

Aseptic loosening is the main reason for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) failure, responsible for more than 25% of the revision procedures, with most of the problems occurring with the tibial component. While early loosening can be attributed to failure of primary fixation, late implant loosening is associated with loss of fixation secondary to bone resorption due to altered physiological load transfer to the tibial bone. Several attempts have been made to investigate these changes in bone load transfer in biomechanical simulations and bone remodeling analyses, which can be useful to provide information on the effect of patient, surgery, or design-related factors. On the other hand, these factors have also been investigated in clinical studies of radiographic changes of bone density following TKA. In this study we made an overview of the knowledge obtained from these clinical studies, which can be used to inform clinical decision making and implant design choices.

Introduction: There is limited literature looking into the circumstances surrounding the development of stress fractures of the medial and lateral malleoli after ankle replacement. We present the preliminary results of a prospective study examining the effect of total ankle replacement (TAR) upon local bone mineral density (BMD) and the phenomenon of stress shielding.

Aim: To assess the effect of TAR loading othe medial and lateral malleoli, by analysing the BMD of the medial and lateral malleoli before and after Mobility TAR.

Methodology: Ten consecutive patients undergoing Mobility total ankle replacement for osteoarthritis had pre-operative bone densitometry scans of the ankle, repeated at 6 and 12 months after surgery. The bone mineral density of a 2 cm square area within the medial and lateral malleoli was measured. The pre-operative and post-operative bone densitometry scans were compared. The relation between the alignment of the tibial component and the bone mineral density of the malleoli was also analysed.

Results: The mean preoperative BMD within the medial malleolus increased from a mean of 0.57g/cm2 to 0.58g/cm2 at six months and 0.60g/cm2 at 12 months postoperatively. The mean preoperative BMD within the lateral malleolus decreased from 0.39g/cm2 to 0.34g/cm2 at six months postoperatively. However the BMD over the lateral malleolus increased to 0.356g/cm2 at 12 months. The mean alignment of the tibial component was 88.50 varus (range 850 varus to 940 valgus). There was no correlation between the alignment of the tibial component and the bone mineral density on the medial malleolus (r = 0.09, p = 0.865).

Conclusion: The absence of stress shielding around the medial malleolus indicates that ankle replacements implanted within the accepted limits for implant alignment, load the medial malleolus. However, there was stress shielding over the lateral malleolus resulting in decreased BMD in the lateral malleolus.

Aims. This study aimed to develop and validate a fully automated system that quantifies proximal femoral bone mineral density (BMD) from CT images. Methods. The study analyzed 978 pairs of hip CT and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements of the proximal femur (DXA-BMD) collected from three institutions. From the CT images, the femur and a calibration phantom were automatically segmented using previously trained deep-learning models. The Hounsfield units of each voxel were converted into density (mg/cm. 3. ). Then, a deep-learning model trained by manual landmark selection of 315 cases was developed to select the landmarks at the proximal femur to rotate the CT volume to the neutral position. Finally, the CT volume of the femur was projected onto the coronal plane, and the areal BMD of the proximal femur (CT-aBMD) was quantified. CT-aBMD correlated to DXA-BMD, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis quantified the accuracy in diagnosing osteoporosis. Results. CT-aBMD was successfully measured in 976/978 hips (99.8%). A significant correlation was found between CT-aBMD and DXA-BMD (r = 0.941; p < 0.001). In the ROC analysis, the area under the curve to diagnose osteoporosis was 0.976. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 88.9% and 96%, respectively, with the cutoff set at 0.625 g/cm. 2. . Conclusion. Accurate DXA-BMD measurements and diagnosis of osteoporosis were performed from CT images using the system developed herein. As the models are open-source, clinicians can use the proposed system to screen osteoporosis and determine the surgical strategy for hip surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2023;12(9):590–597

Aims. Osteoporosis can determine surgical strategy for total hip arthroplasty (THA), and perioperative fracture risk. The aims of this study were to use hip CT to measure femoral bone mineral density (BMD) using CT X-ray absorptiometry (CTXA), determine if systematic evaluation of preoperative femoral BMD with CTXA would improve identification of osteopenia and osteoporosis compared with available preoperative dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) analysis, and determine if improved recognition of low BMD would affect the use of cemented stem fixation. Methods. Retrospective chart review of a single-surgeon database identified 78 patients with CTXA performed prior to robotic-assisted THA (raTHA) (Group 1). Group 1 was age- and sex-matched to 78 raTHAs that had a preoperative hip CT but did not have CTXA analysis (Group 2). Clinical demographics, femoral fixation method, CTXA, and DXA data were recorded. Demographic data were similar for both groups. Results. Preoperative femoral BMD was available for 100% of Group 1 patients (CTXA) and 43.6% of Group 2 patients (DXA). CTXA analysis for all Group 1 patients preoperatively identified 13 osteopenic and eight osteoporotic patients for whom there were no available preoperative DXA data. Cemented stem fixation was used with higher frequency in Group 1 versus Group 2 (28.2% vs 14.3%, respectively; p = 0.030), and in all cases where osteoporosis was diagnosed, irrespective of technique (DXA or CTXA). Conclusion. Preoperative hip CT scans which are routinely obtained prior to raTHA can determine bone health, and thus guide femoral fixation strategy. Systematic preoperative evaluation with CTXA resulted in increased recognition of osteopenia and osteoporosis, and contributed to increased use of cemented femoral fixation compared with routine clinical care; in this small study, however, it did not impact short-term periprosthetic fracture risk. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(3):254–260

Aims. Osteoporosis is common in total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients. It plays a substantial factor in the surgery’s outcome, and previous studies have revealed that pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis influences implant survival rate. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of and treatment rates for osteoporosis prior to THA, and to explore differences in osteoporosis-related biomarkers between patients treated and untreated for osteoporosis. Methods. This single-centre retrospective study included 398 hip joints of patients who underwent THA. Using medical records, we examined preoperative bone mineral density measures of the hip and lumbar spine using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans and the medications used to treat osteoporosis at the time of admission. We also assessed the following osteoporosis-related biomarkers: tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b); total procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide (total P1NP); intact parathyroid hormone; and homocysteine. Results. The prevalence of DXA-proven hip osteoporosis (T-score ≤ -2.5) among THA patients was 8.8% (35 of 398). The spinal osteoporosis prevalence rate was 4.5% (18 of 398), and 244 patients (61.3%; 244 of 398) had osteopenia (-2.5 < T-score ≤ -1) or osteoporosis of either the hip or spine. The rate of pharmacological osteoporosis treatment was 22.1% (88 of 398). TRACP-5b was significantly lower in the osteoporosis-treated group than in the untreated group (p < 0.001). Conclusion. Osteoporosis is common in patients undergoing THA, but the diagnosis and treatment for osteoporosis were insufficient. The lower TRACP-5b levels in the osteoporosis-treated group — that is, osteoclast suppression — may contribute to the reduction of the postoperative revision rate after THA. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(12):873–880