Why is the forearm not used for monitoring treatment of osteoporosis?

• A. It has a high amount of trabecular bone
• B. It has limited vascularization
• C. It is primarily composed of cortical bone
• D. It responds too quickly to therapies

Answer: (C)

The forearm is primarily composed of cortical bone, which makes it less suitable for monitoring treatment of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis treatments are generally aimed at increasing bone density, and in terms of assessing this change effectively, trabecular bone sites are preferred. The trabecular bone, found in areas like the lumbar spine and hip, is more metabolically active and responds better to changes induced by osteoporosis treatment.

In contrast, the cortical bone found in the forearm tends to change less dramatically in response to therapy, making it a less sensitive indicator of treatment effects. Therefore, using the forearm for monitoring would not provide a reliable assessment of the therapy's effectiveness, as the response of the cortical bone may be too subtle or delayed compared to the more responsive trabecular sites.

Understanding the composition of the bone being assessed is key in effectively monitoring osteoporosis treatment, and the forearm's cortical makeup limits its utility in this context.