Our other services
Our bone density services
What is Bone Density Scan (DEXA)?
DEXA Bone Density is a non-invasive and painless test that can detect your current and future risk of osteoporosis-related fractures. DEXA Bone Density can also monitor your body's response to osteoporosis treatment. Regional Imaging's DEXA Bone Density scanner measures the density of your hips and spine. Those numbers are then interpreted and reported to your doctor.
Risk factors for osteoporosis
- Post-menopausal women
- Family hisotyr of osteoporosis or broken bones
- Low calcium or vitamin D intake
- Low estrogen levels
What to expect during your exam
Most DEXA Bone Density exams take less than 15 minutes. You are asked to lay on your back on the scanning table.
DEXA scanning (BMD)
Osteoporosis is a disease that results in a significant risk of fracture. The consequences of fracture can include hospitalization, immobility, a decrease in the quality of life, and even death. From a larger perspective, it is a costly disease in terms of the health-care system and time lost from work. Early detection and therapy is the mainstay for trying to prevent these complications. BMD testing results correlate well with the risk of fracture, and the testing is easily performed in a time-efficient manner without any discomfort. Although many methods of BMD testing exist, the best currently is DEXA scanning. It is imperative that testing ultimately be done using state-of-the-art equipment with capable highly-trained personnel.
A bone density scan at a glance
- 40% of postmenopausal women in the U.S. have osteopenia (low bone density). An additional 7% have osteoporosis.
- In 1995, osteoporosis-related fractures were associated with over 400,000 hospitalizations, stressing the importance of early detection and appropriate prescription therapy.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) estimates the true mass of bone.
- BMD analysis is recommended for women between ages 50 and 65 with risk factors for osteoporosis and for all women over the age of 65. In addition, men and women taking certain medications or having certain diseases should discuss testing with their doctor.
- By measuring BMD, it is possible to predict fracture risk in the same manner that measuring blood pressure can help predict the risk of stroke.
- DEXA is quick, painless and the preferred method to measure BMD.
- Osteoporosis has many available prescription and nonprescription treatment options once the diagnosis is made.