Periodic scans and lab work are the only way that we have to gauge our progress (or regression). I have been scanned for osteopenia/osteoporosis every two years for over 20 years now, and these scans have been helpful for me to manage those conditions. Unfortunately I had a family crisis that took my attention away from myself for about 3 years and my conditioned worsened, resulting in my first compression fracture. So, I disagree, my "diagnosis" was not the result of the fracture, in fact, for years, the scans provided the "diagnostic measurement" that I needed to prevent fractures. I have always controlled my conditions prior to any scans or lab work. Yes, I understand equipment calibrations and other variables influence the results, but I'm not looking for precise diagnostics but rather evidence of progression (or regression) over time related to therapeutic methods employed during those intervals.