View clinical trials related to Bone Density.
Filter by:Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is currently the most widely used tool for determining bone density. However, most experts consider DXA an imperfect and intermediate technology. DXA is subject to artifact from arthritis and body composition, and also cannot account for geometric or material properties of bone which are also important components of bone strength. Xtreme CT (high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography, HR-pQCT) is a new technology with dramatically improved spatial resolution. It is able to define bones' cortical and trabecular surfaces in a three-dimensional manner, and therefore provides information on bone microarchitecture as well as bone density. As such, it may provide new information about characteristics of bone strength. The purpose of this study is to compare Xtreme CT to DXA measurements of bone density, and also to generate a normative database of healthy young adults. This cross-sectional study involves a single visit where both Xtreme CT and DXA measurements will be obtained for a single time-point. This normative database will allow us to generate clinically relevant comparisons between the two imaging technologies.
Hip fractures mostly occur in elderly people with low bone strength. Bone strength is determined by bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover, microarchitectural and geometrical properties of the bone. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the standard technique to measure BMD. However, BMD just provides information regarding the quantity of mineral in bone, which is only one component of bone strength. To date there is no reliable method to assess bone strength in vivo. Therefore, a method to assess bone strength beyond BMD would provide additional information regarding the patients' risk of bone related fixation failure after fracture fixation. DensiProbe is a new diagnostic device that was developed for intra-operative assessment of mechanical stability of the bone in the proximal femur. It consists of a drill bit like tool and an electronic system to measure the peak torque to break-away of trabecular bone in the femoral head of patients undergoing DHS surgical treatment. In a cadaver study comparing bone mineral density measured by quantitative computed tomography with bone strength measured by DensiProbe a high correlation between these two parameters could be shown. In a clinical pilot study a significant correlation between DensiProbe measurements and BMD measured by DXA at the femoral neck in patients with hip fractures could be shown. However, no perfect correlation was expected because DensiProbe measures bone strength, which is only partly caused by BMD. Bone related fixation failure, such as secondary loss of reduction, is influenced by bone strength, bone mineral density, fracture type, fracture reduction and primary positioning of the implant. The predictive value of DensiProbe measurements for secondary loss of reduction needs to be investigated. If DensiProbe turned out to be an effective screening tool for patients with low bone strength that are on higher risk of the aforementioned complications these patients may in future benefit from alternative treatment methods (e.g. augmentation techniques) in order to reduce bone related fixation failure. The primary aim of the present study is to investigate if bone strength measured by DensiProbeTM Hip (DensiProbe) is an independent factor to predict secondary loss of reduction (screw migration of 5 mm or more and / or telescoping of 10 mm or more) in patients with hip fractures after fracture fixation with DHS.