Concurrent Axial and Appendicular Osteoporosis

Abstract

OSTEOPOROSIS of aging has long been recognized as a disorder primarily of the dorsolumbar spine. Evidence that bone loss with age also occurs in the appendicular skeleton has been summarized by Garn and his associates¹ and extended by them and by other investigators.^{2 3 4 5} However, the relation of peripheral bone to vertebral atrophy has received only limited attention.^{2 , 4} Not only is the concept that this osteoporosis results from an osteoblast-matrix defect secondary to hormonal imbalance⁶ still to be proved but interest has been redirected to the earlier point of view that a calcium consumption inadequate to permit a positive mineral balance . . .