Bone Density Scans

The Gold Standard for Osteoporosis Diagnosis

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, Osteopenia, or Osteoporosis.

In the past, there was no way to determine if you had osteoporosis—until it was too late and a fracture occurred. That’s why diagnosing osteoporosis sooner rather than later is crucial to avoiding potential bone loss and fractures. Physicians can determine if you have normal, osteopenic, or osteoporotic-level density. It is the only test that can diagnose osteoporosis.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that all women and men over 65 get a bone density scan. Other groups who can benefit from a scan include those who have:

• A very low body weight
• Had one or more fractures after the age of 50
• A family history of osteoporosis
• Lost a half-inch or more in height within one year

With a timely and accurate DXA scan at IBJI, your care team can put the appropriate preventive measures in place to help you avoid the weakening of your bones.

IBJI at Morton Grove Introduces DXA Scans with Trabecular Bone Score (TBS)
The IBJI Arthritis and Osteoporosis Specialists are pleased to announce the introduction of a new diagnostic tool that is becoming the standard of care in the diagnosis of osteoporosis and assessment of fracture risk, called the Trabecular Bone Score (TBS).