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Osteoporosis is considered a civilization disease, affecting populations living in big cities. It is detected in 10 percent of population and in 30 percent women over fifty. We tried to estimate prevalence of osteoporosis in people living in Kraków. For estimation purposes, 1000 people living in Kraków more than 40 years were chosen. 325 persons came to our Department for examination, 232 of which were women. All patient filled a special questionnaire on pathological changes in skeletal system and risk factor of osteoporosis. Densitometric measurements of nondominant forearm using Osteometer DTX 100 were performed in all patients. For osteoporosis criteria level of T-score less than -2.5 was taken. Because of lack of Polish reference data for densitometric measurements our data were compared to WHO data, concerning prevalence of osteoporosis in white women. Compared to WHO data, a higher frequency of osteoporosis was found in women living in Kraków more than 40 years.

The results of bone mineral density measurements in both forearms of 50 patients aged from 51 to 83 yrs (av. 62.4) who sustained unilateral Colles fracture, were analysed. Time elapsed from fracture was from 0.5 to 6 yrs. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of previous Colles fracture on bone mineral density. It was found that after the preliminary increase of bone mineral density, there was a gradual decrease towards normal values as compared with the unbroken arm. The bone mineral density in the evaluated group with fracture was significantly lower than the control groups without fracture.

Fluoride causes an increase in bone mass by stimulation of osteogenetic process. This effect is used in treatment of osteoporosis. Chronic exposure to fluoride in aluminium works can cause an industrial fluorosis, which is characterised by increased mineral content in bone tissue. It is well known that after cessation of fluoride is gradually eliminated from the bone. Probably this same process can exist in patients with osteoporosis after stopping of osteoporosis treatment, so we decided to estimate bone mineral density in former workers of aluminium works. For investigation a group of 169 of men in mean age of 50.0 years, all of whom had worked for at least five years (average 12.9 yrs) in Skawina aluminium works before their closure in 1981, was selected. The control group was 29 men in the same age not exposed for fluoride. In all patient bone densitometry in distal and ultradistal region were evaluated. Decreased bone mineral density was found in workers of aluminium workers, compared to the control group, particularly in age groups of 40-44 and 50-54 years. Differences were bigger in measurements of trabecular bone.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of progressive systemic disease predisposing for osteoporosis. Inflammatory process, applied treatment as well as considerably impared efficiency of motor organ create conditions for osteoporosis. The changes of bone mineral density in RA were assessed in 50 patients treated for various form of RA, at the Rheumatological and Rehabilitation Hospital in Cracow. The age of patients ranged from 21-79 yrs: the mean age was 50 years. The group consisted of 46 (92%) females and 4 (8%) males. Apart from standard clinical examinations there was assessed in all cases mineral density in distal radius using Osteometer DTX 100. Mineral density BMD was estimated in distal and ultradistal region of radius. All patients were qualified into 4 groups depending on the stage of radiological changes according to Steinbrocker. Group I included 16%, group II-30%, group III-30%, and IV-24% of patients. Steroid therapy was applied in 20 (40%) cases. The results showed progressive decrease of mineral density BMD in distal radius in patients with advanced RA. It was also observed that in RA patients mineral density defect occurs earlier in trabecular than in cortical bone.

Limited physical activity, steroidotherapy and immunosuppression are known risk factors for the development of osteoporosis. The purpose of our current work was to investigate whether patients after heart transplantation (Htx) have an increased incidence of osteoporosis. We compared bone mineral density (BMD) in 32 post-transplant patients with a reference group of 1548 healthy age-matched males. Measurement of BMD was carried out with a Dtx 100 Osteometer on the distal and ultradistal segment of the non-dominant radius. Our results revealed a decreased BMD in HTx patients ranging from 6.9 to 10% in the ultradistal (p = 0.0446) and from 0.4 to 3.5% in the distal segment (p = 0.0593).

Theoretical foundations and practical application of densitometric bone mineral analysis is presented. The radiographs of forearm and aluminum wedge were compared. Bone mineral content (BMC) was calculated on the basis of densitometric measurements as well as bone and soft tissue thickness evaluation. The method error determined on the basis of tests is 4.89%. The measurements were taken in 754 fluoride exposed workers and in the control group of 60. A distinctive decrease of BMC with age was found in both groups. In older fluoride exposed workers this process was slowed down. Minor increase of BMC was found in workers exposed to fluoride to the higher degree.

The occurrence of the degenerative changes of the hip, knee, elbow and spine was assessed in 1598 aluminium workers. Their average age was 43.1 years and the period of fluoride intoxication was average 17.0 years. The aging process was found to be predominant factor in the development of degenerative changes. An increased prevalence of changes was found in workers with the higher exposure to fluoride. Fluoride was assumed to be one of the factors causing degenerative changes of joints.

Radiographic, mineralogic and histomorphometric investigations of the distal radial metaphyses were performed in a group of 57 men who sustained sudden death. The radiographic image of bone structure was assessed by nude eye and with computerized analyses of the microdensitometric curves. Mineral in bone specimens content was estimated by Dulce method. Trabecular mineralized bone area (Vmin), osteoid area (Vos) and trabecular width (dt) were measured on undecalcified sections. Decrease of bone mineral content and Vmin were noted with the age of those investigated. This process affected the radiographic image of bone structure. The radiographic picture of bone structure depends mostly on the mineral content and to a smaller extent on histomorphometric parameters. Microdensitometric measurements make objective assessment of bone structure on the radiograph possible.

The results of clinical, arthrographic and arthroscopic examination in the group of 120 patients with suspected meniscal lesion have been compared. In the clinical examination the McMurray and the Apley tests revealed a good correlation with meniscal tears. Arthrography was found to be in accordance with arthroscopy in 62%. The results were falsely negative in 15% and falsely positive in 25% of patients respectively.

Clinical and radiological results as well/as complications after 123 total hip arthroplasties performed as secondary procedure have been evaluated. These patients underwent primary operation because of femoral neck fracture or intertrochanteric osteotomy in the treatment of hip osteoarthritis. The scores of clinical results according to the Merle d'Aubigené and Postel scale were as follows: pain 4.48, walk 3.99, movements 4.02. Radiological features of loosening of the cup were observed in 14.4 per cent and of the stem in 17.3 per cent of those investigated. Early infections were 3 times higher and summed with late infections constituted 8.8 per cent of those operated on. Deep infections and aseptic loosening caused revision in 11.5 per cent of those investigated.