Spinal Bone Density Following Spinal Fusion

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Spinal bone densities were assessed in 25 patients following lumbar fusion and bracing, in an attempt to study bone remodeling by noninvaslve methods. Dual-photon densitometry was used to study specific areas of autologous bone grafts and adjacent vertebrae above the fusion mass. Measurements were made preoperatlvely and at 6-week intervals postoperatlvely. The data for the first 12 months postoperatlvely are reported here. In all patients there was at first a consistent loss in density In the vertebrae above the fusion mass, averaging 15.7%. This was followed by a gradual density increase such that by 1 year postoperatively, in 60% of the subjects, the density of these vertebrae was higher than the preoperative level. In the grafted areas, bone changes were cyclical, demonstrating a remodeling pattern consistent with that described in animal literature for graft healing and also consistent with modern bone remodeling theory. There was a general tendency toward a gradual increase in the density of the fusion mass.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: