Singh Index for Osteoporosis – Simplified

Pattern of bone loss in Osteoporosis

1. Trabecular bone responds faster to metabolic changes due to greater surface are compared to cortical bone.
2. Non-weight bearing (secondary trabeculae) are lost first. Weight bearing (primary trabeculae) may appear prominent due to loss of other trabeculae and may also become thickened due to compensatory mechanism or callus from microfractures.
3. Later, even primary weight-bearing trabeculae are lost, resulting in translucent appearance of bone.
4. In bones that sustain vertical loads, such as tibial and femoral metaphyses and vertebral bodies, resistance to lateral bowing and fractures is provided by a horizontal trabecular cross-bracing system that helps support the vertical elements. 

Trabeculae in Proximal Femur

5 groups based on orientation and function:

1. Primary compressive group
2. Secondary compressive group
3. Greater trochanteric group
4. Primary tensile group
5. Secondary tensile group

How do you remember where these trabeculae are ?

I use these general rules:

1. Primary trabeculae start in head of femur as they are weight-bearing trabeculae.
2. Secondary trabeculae lie inferior to the primary trabeculae.
3. Compressive trabeculae go towards compression side of the proximal femur, i.e. medial side with lesser trochanter.
4. Tensile trabeculae go towards tension side of the proximal femur, i.e. lateral side with greater trochanter.
5. Greater trochanteric group is confined within greater trochanter.

Ward triangle refers to a radiolucent area between principal compressive, secondary compressive and primary tensile trabeculae in the neck of femur. This is the area having lowest BMD in femoral neck.

Singh’s Index

Based on the loss of trabecular pattern in proximal femur, Singh index is used to assist fracture prediction. As described by Singh index, trabecular bone loss in osteoporosis initiates in the trochanter, then evolves to the breakage of tensile trabeculae, and ultimately reaches the principal compressive trabeculae.

Grade 6 – All normal trabeculae groups visible

Grade 5 – Reduction/Loss of trochanteric and secondary trabeculae leading to: prominence of primary groups and enlargement of Ward’s triangle

Grade 4 – Reduced but continuous primary tensile group

Grade 3 – Discontinuous primary tensile group

Grade 2 – Loss of primary tensile group as well (Only primary compressive group visible)

Grade 1 – Reduction in primary compressive group

However, Singh’s index has been found to poorly correlate with the BMD measured using DEXA or quantitative CT scan.

Dr. Sulabh Kumar Shrestha, MS Orthopedics

He is the section editor of Orthopedics in Epomedicine. He searches for and share simpler ways to make complicated medical topics simple. He also loves writing poetry, listening and playing music.