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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Are Fractured Ribs And A Hole In Vertebra Signs Of Osteoporosis?

A 70 year old male friend killed a snake recently and caused violent pain in his spine. X rays showed fractured ribs and a hole in his vertebra. He has all his life drunk a quart or more of milk daily. Can he have some form of osteoporosis? Cancer? He is on powerful painkillers at home now. Feeble.
Fri, 31 Jan 2020
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

Based on the history you have shared, the hole in the spine or lytic lesion in technical terms needs further workup with skeletal survey as well as serum calcium levels and urinary benze John's protien evaluation.

Alkaline phosphatase and LDH for any bone lesions like metastatic involvement should be ruled out. If an unremarkable DEXA scan to rule out osteoporosis on basis of T and Z scores estimation should be done.

If so he may need bisphosphonates as well as supplements for calcium and vitamin D3.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Saddiq Ulabidin, General & Family Physician
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Are Fractured Ribs And A Hole In Vertebra Signs Of Osteoporosis?

Hi, Based on the history you have shared, the hole in the spine or lytic lesion in technical terms needs further workup with skeletal survey as well as serum calcium levels and urinary benze John s protien evaluation. Alkaline phosphatase and LDH for any bone lesions like metastatic involvement should be ruled out. If an unremarkable DEXA scan to rule out osteoporosis on basis of T and Z scores estimation should be done. If so he may need bisphosphonates as well as supplements for calcium and vitamin D3. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr Saddiq Ulabidin, General & Family Physician