bone scan results

I got a call last week from orthopedic surgeons office stating that the bone scan results of my knee looks good.  Well, when I went in to the office to discuss the results I was told that i either have an infection or my knee is loosening.  he stuck a needle in my joint and withdrew some fluid to be analyzed.  I get the results this week.

I was told when I had a plate and screws placed in my tibia that the bone was soft.  Should I take boniva or something else?  No doctor  has approached that subject yet.

My knee hurts.

Betsey

It's a bit confusing because if the bone scan showed everything is ok...that would have been the test to show if your bones are "weak/soft"...There are usually three levels for a bone scan.

Normal-bones have a density that is healthy

Low bone mass (termed Osteopenia)...Bones show the beginning of bone loss, but not enough to be osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis: Bones are weak and porous, and more likely to break.

Boniva is normally used when there are at least signs of weakness....I guess it can be prescribed prophylactically, but it all depends on whether you want/need to add a prescription medication if everything is showing ok on the bone scan.

Most people who have a "normal" on the scan work to prevent any weakening with natural things like drinking milk, eating fish/greens, taking a calcium supplement. Exercise is important as well as limiting alcohol and stress.

You certainly got a broad guess at what is wrong with the knee if they can't tell between an infection or things loosening. They should be able to tell with an x-ray if any of the hardware is out of place. I hope it's something easily fixed. I have a lot of titanium in my neck and unless it ever actually breaks...there is no way I am messing with it! LOL

Let us know the results!

I guess I'm not understanding that if doesn't even feel you need a calcium supplement...why would you want to add an actual prescription as it seems you are clear from having any bone density issues?

Obviously it is your choice:) I am just one of those that only takes a prescription for something unless it is absolutely necessary.

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 5/6/2013 6:10:28 PM (GMT-6)

My PM doc appt isnt until 5-22-13. Gosh, my knee hurts. I apply heat or ice to my knee. Neither makes it feel any better. Over the counter pain meds dont help.

I am miserable and grouchy. Sorry!! I cant get into our spa. Knee hurts to much. Here it is 7:15 pm and Im in my sleepwear. cant stand jeans against my knee

Betsey

My PM doc moved up my appt and I saw her. She put me on 50 mg ofTramadol 4 times a day.

I feel relief. Yea!!! This coming week I need my blood drawn out of my arm again.

We have been having rain for 2 days. I felt it in my leg.

Betsey

You know what's interesting about your post is I just asked my Dr. for a dexa scan because my mom has severe

osteoporosis.  Well lo and behold my left hip came back as mild ostopenia.  That is the same side I had my total

knee.  When I was at my ortho's office the other day I brought up that he had mentioned after my surgery that

I had soft bones and what does that mean.  He stated that I could be on my way to osteoporosis.

My primary care Dr. has me taking 1,500 mg of calcium and 2000 i.u. of Vitamin.  Both were ok with blood work

but D was at low end.  I have started walking again and need to lift light weights.  No need for drugs which by

the way have alot of side effects.  My ortho said my Dr. should of had be tested year's ago.

Good Luck

A bone density scan, also called DEXA or DXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry). So this is what you had Betsey.

Did you call your Dr. last week as I think you said you were supposed to get the results of the fluid draw to check for infection. That shouldn't take this long. As well as they should be able to tell with a quick X-ray if the implants are in the correct place.

I hope that you can call them today to find out! Let us know..

Another sediment rate that is high. am starting to get scared. A high sediment rate means an infection, cancer, or something else which I forgot. When I read cancer that freaked me out.

I have no fever it is 98.1. Which scares me if I have an infection why dont I have a fever?

I should never have researched it. Now Im scared.

Betsey

Betsey:

I'm sorry to hear that your SED rate is elevated. I know that it can mean many things, and I think you shouldn't worry to much.

The SED rate does measure the amount of inflammation in the body. Yes it can mean any of the problems you listed, but it also can be associated with arthritis, auto immune diseases, inflammation in the bowel, etc.

With your knee being bad and having had it replaced, I'd bet that you may have some form of arthritis. Now I'm no Dr, but I do have RA, Lupus, and cancer (leukemia) I would think that IF you had cancer you would be showing other symptoms.

My SED rate is always elevated due to my RA and lupus. It causes me a lot of stiffness and pain in my joints. I know your knee hurts you try to rest your knee as much as possible. Try not to worry to much Betsey, if you feel no better this week OR you start having other symptoms please call and make an appointment to see your Dr.

I hope this helps some and you'll be in my prayers. Please try not to worry.

Hugs,
Barbara

Barbara is quite right. An elevated eosinophil sedimentation rate is merely a sign that all isn't quite right. It's used as a general marker of illness and is pretty nonspecific. It'll be up with inflammation most likely as she said. Don't panic!

My bone scan showed osteopenia and as a result I'm on calcium, vit D3 and alendronic acid which slows the rate of bone turnover (it gets broken down and rebuilt constantly).

For the bone, check your meds first in case there's an issue with calcium supplements but adding calcium appears to be okay for most people, although there is an emerging body of evidence saying that it can cause problems and some evidence questioning the efficacy of calcium supplementation for bones. Frankly the evidence around seems to favour getting extra calcium from food rather than supplementation and I'd certainly go this route if you can - it's what I've done and I've reduced the supplement dose accordingly. As already mentioned, if you don't use a bone as much, the bone density will decrease and as you apply weight, etc to the area it will strengthen up again naturally, hence why they said about not really needing calcium. You can also do weight bearing exercises to increase bone density.

Gosh, my knee has pain today. Whenn my knee was numb I had no pain. So it seems that my pain originates from the front of my tkr.

My tramadol isnt touching the pain. Im miserable. I will apply a lidoderm patch to my knee.
Betsey

Pain calming down would be a good thing. I hope it happens soon.
Betsey