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Home | Bone Density Scan

Bone Density Scan

The Gold Standard for Osteoporosis Diagnosis

A Bone Density Test (DXA) can diagnose osteoporosis well before someone fractures. In fact, DXA is the ‘Gold Standard’ used throughout the world to establish bone health status and to track changes in bone strength.

Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometer (DXA) is a low dose X-ray instrument that precisely measures the strength, or density, of specific regions of the skeleton or the whole body. The test is painless, takes less than 30 minutes and does not require undressing or fasting.

Bone density testing is performed with the patient lying on a comfortable, padded table. A low energy x-ray beam is passed through the bones in the spine, hip or other skeletal site and measures, in a highly precise and reproducible manner, the calcium content of the bone of interest. These bone mineral density (BMD) measurements determine the strength of bone and its risk for fracture and status: Normal, Low Bone Mass, or Osteoporosis.

When Should You Get a Bone Density Scan

Diagnosing osteoporosis sooner rather than later is crucial to avoiding potential bone loss and fractures. Do not take any mineral substances prior to your examination; otherwise there is no preparation necessary. You will receive your bone density measurement in a metric called a ‘T-score’ once the procedure has been completed. An average score sits in between 0.9, 0, and a -0.9 T-score, which indicates the bones are healthy. Low bone density, osteopenia and osteoporosis can be diagnosed when these scores drops between -1.0 and -2.5 by our IBJI DXA technologists.

Bone Density Scans at IBJI

A bone density scan is just one of the diagnostic imaging tests that the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute offers to patients. IBJI Osteoporosis Centers offer each patient with low bone mass or osteoporosis unique advice and guidance that is specified to their overall bone health.