Bone Density

Bone Density (DEXA) is most often used to diagnose osteoporosis, a condition that often affects women after menopause but may also be found in men and rarely in children.  Osteoporosis involves a gradual loss of calcium, as well as structural changes, causing the bones to become thinner, more fragile and more likely to break.

Bone density testing is fast and painless.  During the screening process the patient lies fully clothed on a padded table, while the machine scans one or more areas of the body.  Generally, the areas scanned include the lumber spine (lower back) and left hip.  If either of these areas cannot be scanned due to prior surgeries, alternate areas will be scanned.  This technology is safer than the average x-ray, with the radiation dose being less than the cumulative radiation exposure during a coast to coast airline flight.