For a study, researchers wanted to determine how bone turnover markers (BTMs) changed over time after lumbar spinal fusion in people who didn’t have osteoporosis. The typical method for monitoring bony fusion is radiological tests, although they do not provide a rapid bone repair assessment. BTMs react quickly to changes in bone metabolism during the fusion process, and they could be a helpful tool for monitoring it. A total of 78 patients with non-osteoporosis who had 1 or 2 levels of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion were included in the study. Sagittal and coronal computed CT images were used to determine fusion status. Bone formation was assessed using serum levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP), and osteocalcin (OC). In contrast, bone resorption was assessed using serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b). Before surgery, as well as at 1, 2, 4, 8, 13, 26, 39, and 52 weeks after surgery, serum samples were taken. A firm fusion was established in 71 of 78 patients (91%), while 7 patients developed pseudarthrosis. At 1 postoperative week, the level of all BTMs in the fusion group had decreased. Then, at 4 weeks following surgery, BAP and P1NP peaked, while TRACP-5b and OC peaked at 8 weeks. P1NP and TRACP-5b levels gradually returned to baseline over the next year, while BAP remained high until 52 weeks following surgery. The peak level of BTMs was considerably higher in the pseudarthrosis group, and the enhanced levels of BAP and P1NP were maintained until 52 weeks. Researchers looked at how BTMs changed following lumbar spinal fusion in people who didn’t have osteoporosis. These data from the general population serve as a baseline for assessing the influence of osteogenic drugs on bone metabolism following spinal fusion.
