The evaluation of bone mineral density in the proximal femur measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry

A study of bone mineral density (BMD) in the proximal femur in cases of neck fracture and cases of trochanteric fracture involving healthy females was conducted using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The femur of healthy females develops peak bone mass around age 20 and BMD drops significantly by age 50 and thereafter. Significantly low BMD values were noted in cases of fracture involving healthy females. BMD in cases of trochanteric fracture was found to be significantly lower than that in cases of neck fracture. By studying post-surgery prognoses of fracture cases and cases complicated by dementia, BMD was found to be lower in patients with unsatisfactory prognosis, and was found to be significantly lower in cases complicated by dementia. The precision of DEXA in relation to body thickness was also studied. Notable error occurred at a thickness of 28cm or more. Error due to incycloduction and was aslo noted.