Bone Loss: how much is normal?

kristen · 01-18-2006, 04:42 PM

I have a quick question that maybe you can help me with. I just had my annual chest x-ray and ALL is good. thank you. One comment that I don't understand is:
There is mild degeneration change of the spine. I have had a dex test and was osteopenia and I am taking Fosamax weekly this started about a year ago. Does this seem like this is getting worse or something that happens when you get cancer? I am 44 and if they were taking pictures of the chest are they talking about the thoracic region? Should I be doing anything more or asking any other questions? My surgeon told me everything was fine. So is this something NOT to worry about? I don't see her until March to review the mam and x-ray but I always get a copy for my records.
This might be a topic for the chat room?
Thank you in advance for your comments.

01-18-2006, 09:42 PM

Degenerative changes of the spine refers to the intervertebral discs and/or facet joints between the vertebral bodies and is something found in EVERYONE with time. It takes a while to show up on xrays, but during the Vietnam War they discovered that there were degenerative changes in the spine on autopsy even in 18 year old recruits. Usually the lumbar and cervical spines degenerate more than the thoracic as they move more and get more wear and tear therefore (the rib cage limits the motion of the thoracic spine) It has NOTHING to do with the cancer and is nothing to worry about. The only thing you can do to possibly slow down its progression is to avoid jarring exercise such as jumping and landing on concrete based floors, cut down on your Evil Knievel like motor cycle jumping (just joking), swim for exercise and wear shoes with cushiony soles.
There are many things to worry about, but this is not one of them!

Fret not!

AlaskaAngel · 01-18-2006, 10:35 PM

That is a really good answer. I've seen a lot of these reports and if I had a penny for every one that says "degenerative changes" I could buy everyone here a trip to Tahiti... The nice thing about your report actually is that it says "mild" degenerative changes. Rest easy.

A.A.