There is considerable scientific knowledge about the causes, prevention, and treatment of bone disorders, but many gaps remain in this information. For example, it is not clearly understood why fractures occur in so many people. In this bone biology review, we look at some of the recent discoveries in skeletal genetics and metabolism that are expected to improve our understanding of bone health.
Many older individuals are diagnosed with osteoporosis based on the WHO criteria or prior fragility fractures. It is the healthcare provider’s responsibility to institute appropriate treatment of osteoporosis in older patients. In particular, patients with low bone mass and multiple risk factors for fractures should be considered for specific treatment of osteoporosis in old age. This is in addition to maximizing nutrition and emphasizing lifestyle modifications.
Radiologic technologists play an important role in communicating radiation risk to patients. To this end, they must establish a rapport with the patient. One of the major challenges of risk communication is the difference in risk perception by healthcare professionals and the general public. To effectively communicate the risks and benefits of radiation exposure, radiographers need to understand this difference themselves. It is also important to remember that the general public may have obtained information from non-technical sources such as newspapers, magazines, TV shows, and Internet sites. Moreover, the layperson is prone to give equal importance to information from unverified sources and scientific bodies.
Bone density testing is an important tool in the management of osteoporosis. Several different radiological modalities are available to measure bone density. Although each one has its own advantages and disadvantages, DXA is the most widely used. However, there are certain DXA scan errors that DXA operators and general radiographers should be aware of.