Osteoporosis of the Spine: Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of osteoporosis of the spine. Family history

  • Are there any people in your family who suffer from osteoporosis?

Social history

  • What is your profession?
  • Is there any evidence of psychosocial stress or strain due to your family situation?

Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).

  • Do you have any pain? If yes: Did the pain occur after a minor fall or did the pain occur spontaneously? Do you fall more frequently?
  • Where do you have pain? Is the pain mainly in your back?
  • Have you noticed a reduction in height?
  • Do you have muscle pain?
  • Have you noticed any muscle stiffness?
  • Do you have any functional limitations of the skeleton/joints?

Vegetative anamnesis incl. nutritional anamnesis.

  • Are you underweight? Please tell us your body weight (in kg) and height (in cm).
  • Do you have a balanced diet?
    • Do you eat enough foods that contain calcium (e.g., milk and dairy products) or do you eat too many foods high in phosphates, oxalic acid (Swiss chard, cocoa powder, spinach, rhubarb) and phytic acid/phytates (cereals and legumes)?
    • Do you take vitamin D supplements (dietary supplements)?
  • Do you get enough exercise every day?
  • Do you smoke? If so, how many cigarettes, cigars or pipes per day?
  • Do you drink alcohol? If yes, what drink(s) and how many glasses per day? At what age did you enter menopause?

Self history including medication history.

  • Pre-existing conditions (diseases of bones / joints; metabolic diseases; lactose intolerance; intestinal diseases; lung diseases).
  • Operations
  • Allergies
  • Pregnancies

Medication history