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Updated: May 26, 2026

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Bone mineral density is not related to heterotopic ossification after total hip arthroplasty
Kunihiko Okano1, Kiyoshi Aoyagi, Makoto Osaki
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nagasaki Medical Center, 2-1001-1 Kubara, Omura, 852-8562, Japan. kokano@nmc.hosp.go.jp
Purpose:
Heterotopic ossification (HO) after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a frequent complication that compromises the success of this procedure; however, its precise pathogenesis is unknown. Patient-related risk factors have previously been investigated to predict patients likely to have HO. In this study, we compared bone mineral density (BMD) between patients with and without HO after THA.
Methods:
We measured BMD of the lumbar spine, radius, and calcaneus using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 98 females who were scheduled to undergo THA. Radiographs were graded for the presence of HO according to the criteria of Brooker at a minimum follow-up of two years following THA. BMD were compared between those with HO and those without.
Results:
In total, HO was observed in 20 of 98 hips. There were no significant differences in age, height, weight, body mass index, and pre-operative total hip score between the HO and non-HO groups. No significant difference was observed in BMD of the lumbar spine, distal radius, mid-radius, and calcaneus between the two groups.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that generalized BMD is not related to the occurrence of HO after THA in women.
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