The Prevalence of Osteoporosis or Degenerative Osteoarthritis of Knee in Female Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Over 50 Years

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of osteoporosis and degenerative knee osteoarthritis (OA) in female patients over 50 years, who were surgically indicated for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). METHODS: The study subjects were 76 female patients who underwent spinal surgery for LSS between January and December 2006. Radiographs of thoracolumbar spine, hip and knee were taken. Osteoporotic profiles including lumbar and hip bone mineral density (BMD) measurements and proper treatment of osteoporosis were investigated. RESULTS: The mean age was 65.1 (50~86) years old. Seven-teen patients (22.4%) and nine-teen patients (25.0%) had spine and hip BMD below a T score of -2.5. Thirty-two patients (48.0%) and four patients (5.2%) had knee and hip OA of K-L grade III and IV each. Old thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fractures were confirmed in 6 patients (7.8%). Forty-eight percent (48.0%) of enrolled patients had hypovitaminosis D. According to osteoporosis guidelines from the Korean Society of Bone Metabolism, 31 patients (40.7%) qualified to be candidates of intensive osteoporosis treatments. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of osteoporosis and knee OA in LSS patients was 25.0% and 42.1%. Based on checking up BMD and knee OA in female patient with LSS, proper treatments of osteoporosis and degenerative knee OA should be considered.ope