What does increased bone density mean?

Checking bone density is to ensure the health of bones. Bone density values ​​vary with age. Each age group has a standard bone density value, but what does increased bone density mean? There are several reasons for increased bone density, and the cause cannot be ruled out. Especially for older people, special attention should be paid to calcium supplementation, and bone density values ​​should be checked regularly.

The full name of bone density is bone mineral density, which is an important indicator of bone strength. It is expressed in grams per cubic centimeter and is an absolute value. When bone density values ​​are used clinically, the T value is usually used to determine whether the bone density is normal because the absolute values ​​of different bone density detectors are different.

The T value is a relative value, and the normal reference value is between -1 and +1. When the T value is lower than -2.5, it is abnormal. Bone density is an important indicator of bone quality, reflecting the degree of osteoporosis and an important basis for predicting the risk of fractures. Due to the continuous improvement of measurement methods and the development of advanced software, this method can be used in different parts and the measurement accuracy is significantly improved. In addition to diagnosing osteoporosis, it can also be used for clinical efficacy observation and epidemiological surveys, and has significant advantages in predicting osteoporotic fractures.

Increased bone density is seen in the following situations :

(1) Osteosclerosis: Osteosclerosis is the result of increased bone mass. It is a compensatory response of the body and can be seen in many diseases. Localized osteosclerosis is seen in chronic inflammation and malignant bone tumors. Generalized osteosclerosis is seen in osteopetrosis, renal osteosclerosis and fluorosis. X-rays show increased bone density, thickened cortex, thickened bone shaft, narrowed or disappeared bone marrow cavity, and disappeared trabeculae, resulting in a dense image. Although the tumor bone in osteosarcoma shows bone hyperplasia and sclerosis, it is not a compensatory response of the body, but a part of the tumor tissue.

(2) Bone compression: Bone compression increases the amount of bone per unit volume, thus increasing bone density. Bone compression is most common in vertebral compression fractures, and is also seen in bone avascular necrosis. The latter has an increased density and the images are often uneven.

(3) Bone calcification: Bone lesions such as tumors, inflammatory tissues, bone marrow lesions and ischemic diseases can cause bone calcification, which appears as a high-density and structureless granular image.

(4) Abnormal mineral deposition in bones: Lead, phosphorus, and bismuth enter the human body and are deposited in bones. During the growth period, they are mainly deposited in the faster growing epiphyseal part, which appears as a horizontal band with increased density. It is not easy to show in adults.