For more patient information on Bone Density
Bone Density Exam Prep
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What is Bone Density?
Bone density, or a bone densitometry scan, is a simple, non-invasive procedure that measures bone loss. It is used by healthcare practitioners to determine whether you have osteoporosis and assess your risk of suffering bone fractures.
Osteoporosis is a disease that reduces bone density which can lead to fractures, pain and deformities. A bone density scan will alert you to any problems and allow your practitioner to prescribe treatments that will curb bone loss.
Early detection through a bone density scan is the best way to identify and manage changes to bone mass.
What to expect
- At the beginning of the exam, your technologist will position you on the exam table and ask you to remain still.
- A scanner will pass over two of three areas – your lower spine, hip or wrist.
- The entire procedure lasts about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Once the scan is complete, an MIC radiologist will review the images and send a complete report to your healthcare practitioner, usually within 48 hours.
*Patients should defer their bone densitometry examinations if they have had an x-ray contrast dye injection or nuclear medicine injection in the past week or barium studies in the past two weeks.
*Diabetic patients who use a glucose monitoring device should check with their manufacturer to see if they recommend removing their device before low-dose radiation exposure.