Early osteoporosis may go unnoticed until the bones become so weak that a sudden strain, bump or fall causes a bone fracture. In the past, conventional X-rays could only detect the disease after 25 percent of a bone’s mineral content was already gone. Now, several imaging techniques make earlier detection easy, quick and convenient. The most effective is the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) densitometer. A DEXA scan can spot a loss in bone density as low as one percent. This DEXA imaging technology is available at Weiss Memorial Hospital.
How does a DEXA scan work?
Bone mineral density tests use low-dose X-rays to determine the bone density of the spine, arm or hip. It is fast and painless, and requires no injections or invasive procedures. During a test, a person lies fully clothed on a padded treatment table while a mechanical wand is passed over the body. The radiation dose during the test is less than the radiation exposure during a coast-to-coast airline flight.
How long does the process take?
Tests of the spine, arm or hip can take two to five minutes each.
Why would I need a Bone Mineral Density Test?
Your physician may recommend a DEXA scan to help:
- Confirm a diagnosis of or tendency towards osteoporosis.
- Detect low bone density before a fracture occurs.
- Determine your rate of bone loss if the test is repeated over time.
- Monitor the effects of treatment over time.
Is this test the same as a bone scan?
No. A bone scan – which may help a physician identify certain bone abnormalities such as infection, inflammation and cancer – requires an injection of radioactive material. A bone mineral density test requires no special preparation, medication or injection.
What will my physician do with the results?
With the results of your bone mineral density test, you and your physician can determine what lifestyle changes or treatment measures should be taken, or if additional tests are appropriate. Remember: If osteoporosis is diagnosed, it is treatable, and newer treatments are available that can increase bone density and reduce the risk of fracture.