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Question
I am 51 years old. I had a hysterectomy when I was 40. I am not in the high risk group for osteoporosis but took Actonel for a while. My DEX scan showed I lost 10% of bone mass in my spine the first year after my hysterectomy, but overall I'm still within the normal range. I stopped taking Actonel for about 9 months while getting some dental work done that has yet to be completed. About a month ago I heard a clicking sound in my neck like a stack of poker chips falling on each other. I don't have pain but wonder if I should be concerned about it.
Dear Dolores,
From what you have described, I am not too concerned with the clicking noise in the neck. If you are worried about compression fractures, they are rare in the neck, and are usually the result of a compressive type of trauma. However, a simple x-ray can clear the whole thing up.
Clicking in the neck is usually the result of cartilage damage, or fixations of vertebral movement that begin to move. The fact that you do not have pain is a good sign. Additionally, you are not reporting any loss of function either. Bottom line...nothing is raising a red flag. That being said, just because you are pain free, that doesn't mean that you are dysfunction free. There could be underlying degenerative changes in the neck that are responsible for the clicking noises...these aren't life threatening issues, but are often enough to seek out care to prevent further degeneration of the joint spaces and disks.
The choice is really up to you. If it will make you feel better, just go get an x-ray to rule out anything serious...very simple. Your family doctor can order it or your chiropractic physician.
In the mean time, check out this website: www.idealhealth.com, and look up information on the osteotest. It is a functional metabolic tests to check the dynamic markers of bone loss in the skeletal system. I utilize it with my patients, and it is even more sensitive than a DEXA scan. We use this to help patients with bone loss without utilizing pharmaceutical drugs that have side effects. You may be prompted for a referral code, feel free to use our clinic code 5582806. I think you will be impressed with the test.
Good Luck Dolores.
Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net
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Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
Expertise
I can answer questions on general chiropractic care, sports injury, whiplash and auto crash, mild traumatic brain injury, structural and functional rehabilitation of the spine, nutrition for inflammation and repair, fitness training, nutrition for sports performance and other general health and nutrition related inquiries. I currently lecture on automobile trauma, occupant kinematics, and forensic risk analysis to local EMS, Fire and Police, as well as nutrition and sports injury to community groups. Rest assured all answers are generated from my clinical experience, and scientific research.
Experience
I have accumulated over 1100 hours of post-doctoral training to include; Certifications in Spinal Trauma and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma from the International Chiropractic Association, Certification in Low Speed Auto Crash Reconstruction and Certification in Forensic Risk Analysis from The Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Certified Proficiency in spinal and extremity diagnostic procedures from The Motion Palpation Institute, Certified in Sports Injury and Rehabilitation from the National University of Health Sciences and The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, Nationally Certified Fellow of Structural Rehabilitation from The Chiropractic Biophysics Organization, and I have advanced training in manipulation under anesthesia and nutrition. Feel free to check out my website for course listings: www.suncoasthealthcare.net
Organizations
International Chiropractic Association, Florida Chiropractic Association, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, American Academy of Pain Management, Chiropractic Biophysics, Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Motion Palpation Organization, American Academy of Manual and Physical Medicine, Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce
Education/Credentials
B.A. (Psychology)The University of Cincinnati
B.S. (Human Biology)Cleveland Chiropractic College
D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) Cleveland Chiropractic College
C.C.S.T. (Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma)The International Chiropractic Association
C.C.S.P. (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician)The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians.
*CCST and CCSP 120 hour certification courses are not recognized by the Florida Chiropractic Board due to the fact that they are not 300 hour diplomate level courses*
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