Why do I need this exam?

With age, our bones begin to lose calcium quicker than the body  can replace it. This is referred to as “osteopenia,” in  its mildest form and “osteoporosis” in its more advanced stage.  As the  disease progresses, the bones become brittle and weak, making them more  likely to fracture.  The bones most prone to have severe fracture are  those in the hips and spine. 

While Osteoporosis affects many people as they grow  older, early detection can help you develop a bone-health program with  your doctor, allowing you to slow the development of the disease and  experience a greater quality of life. 

When you arrive you will be greeted by a technologist, who will explain the exam to you and ask any additional questions. You will be led into a room designed specifically for bone testing and asked to lie on a comfortable table upon which the exam will be performed. Much like a traditional x-ray, there is no discomfort or feeling of claustrophobia. This exam will take about 20 minutes. Once the exam is completed, the technologist will view the results to make sure that an accurate picture was taken. The results will then be reviewed by a board-certified radiologist and submitted to your doctor. Your doctor will review the diagnosis and consult with you about further treatment.