What Is A Bone Density Scan All About?

A ballerina, poised and gorgeous on tiptoe, gracefully executed a pirouette as she ends her finale when she heard and felt a crack as she lands on a heap on stage. Her bones failed; her moves and speed need more from her bones yet excessive dieting made her lose bone mass. As she collapses she felt both pain and fear for the uncertain, wondering what could the future hold for her. It is truly regretful that she had not submitted to a bone density scan earlier, had she done so, maybe things are different.

What is a bone density scan and in what way can it help? Bone density scanning is a non invasive procedure that efficiently measures bone minerals to indicate bone loss or osteoporosis. A bone density scan uses low x-ray radiation for safety in the process called dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) or simply densitometry.

What is bone density scan and how could it be useful? DEXA scan is capable of yielding results that are concise and reliable in drawing a medical plan that will address the bone loss problems of the patient. People who are at risk must go through the scan to find out the health of their bones to prevent probable injuries and fractures. Those who are into active sports and careers must also take time to go through bone density scan to validate their bone health even before accidents put their careers away from them.

What is a bone density scan and its applications? Unfortunately, not all people with bone loss can benefit from the procedure. Having previous fractures and injuries causing deformities may hinder accuracy in scanning and reading and lead to unreliable results. Use of peripheral DEXA for wrists and heels indicating low bone density may not be used as a basis for possible big time treatments. Scanning results of bones can only tell us if we are getting prone to fractures but it cannot tell us when. It is an expensive procedure.

What is a bone density scan alternative to make it cost less? There are actually portable bone density scans. This type is not so precise and can only be used for screening purposes. Scanners are only used in heels and wrists and never scan hips and spines just the way it is done professionally in reputable medical institutions. The findings during screening may be taken as an indicator that needs further verification.

With technology like DEXA, we need not worry anymore about unfortunate fractures and injuries. With technologies like this, career-ending accidents need not happen ever again; take your time to check it out!

Tags: bone density scan, dexa scan, bone density