Bone Density Imaging

The Ballinger Memorial Hospital Radiology team provides bone density testing onsite using modern technology. Results are sent directly to your ordering provider.

The bone density test takes about 10 minutes. The trained radiology technologist performing your exam will take images of your hips and spine while you lay on the imaging table.

What is a Bone Density Test?

A Bone Density test, also sometimes called a Dexa Scan, is a special kind of X-Ray that measures the amount of energy your bones absorb. This indicates the bones' density and strength. The exam helps to diagnose and track the treatment of osteoporosis and other conditions that cause bone loss.

Bone density testing is most often used to diagnose osteoporosis, a condition that often affects women after menopause but may also be found in men. Osteoporosis involves a gradual loss of calcium, causing the bones to become thinner, more fragile and more likely to break.

The exam is also effective in tracking the effects of treatment for osteoporosis and other conditions that cause bone loss. The test can also assess an individual's risk for developing fractures.

Bone density testing is strongly recommended if you:
Are a post-menopausal woman and not taking estrogen
Have a personal or maternal history of hip fracture
Are a post-menopausal woman who is tall (over 5 feet 7 inches) or thin (less than 125 pounds)
Are a man with clinical conditions associated with bone loss
Use medications that are known to cause bone loss, including corticosteroids such as Prednisone, various anti-seizure medications such as Dilantin and certain barbiturates, or high-dose thyroid replacement drugs
Have type 1 diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, or a family history of osteoporosis
Have a parathyroid condition, such as hyperparathyroidism
Have experienced a fracture after only mild trauma
Have had X-ray evidence of vertebral fracture or other signs of osteoporosis
Have lost more than an inch of height
Have had a bone density scan that gave borderline readings

Ask your provider for more information.

What should I expect BEFORE my bone densitometry exam?

Food and drink: On the day of your Bone Densitometry Scan you may eat normally. You should not take calcium supplements for at least 24 hours before your exam.

When to arrive: Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to register and fill out any necessary forms.

What to wear: You should wear loose, comfortable clothing, avoiding garments that have zippers, belts or buttons made of metal. You may be asked to remove jewelry, eyeglasses and any metal objects or clothing that might interfere with the x-ray images.Women should always inform their physician or technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. Many imaging tests are not performed during pregnancy because radiation can be harmful to the fetus. If an X-ray is necessary, precautions will be taken to minimize radiation exposure to the baby.

What will I experience DURING my bone densitometry exam?

Scanning: Bone densitometry scans are a quick and painless procedure, and done on an outpatient basis. You will lie on a padded table. An X-ray generator is located below you and an imaging device, or detector, is positioned above.To assess your spine, your legs will be supported on a padded box to flatten the pelvis and lower spine. To assess the hip, your foot will be placed in a brace that rotates the hip inward. In both cases, the detector is slowly passed over the area, generating images on a computer monitor. You must hold very still and may be asked to keep from breathing for a few seconds while the picture is taken to reduce the possibility of a blurred image. The technologist will walk behind a wall or into the next room to activate the X-ray machine.

Length of scan: The scan is usually completed within 10 to 30 minutes.

What should I expect AFTER my bone densitometry exam?

Instructions: You may resume normal activity immediately after your bone densitometry scan.

Exam results: Timely results are essential not only for your peace-of-mind, but also for your physician to begin planning your treatment immediately, if necessary. After the scan has been read the results are sent to your physician, who will discuss them with you.