A fragility fracture is a low impact fracture that occurs when falling from sitting or standing height and typically involves the hip, spine or forearm. A follow up bone density test is often done after 2 years. However, if you have certain medical conditions or take certain medications, your health care provider may recommend more frequent testing.
The follow up test needs to be done at the same facility and on the same machine as the baseline. The follow up test will compare to the previous to see what change has occurred. The amount of x-ray exposure you get is about the same as one to two days of background radiation from normal life.
This test should be avoided if you are pregnant. After the scan is finished, one of our board-certified radiologists will interpret the study and send a report to your doctor within 24 hours.
Results will also be available on MyLifespan. Bone Density Testing. There are several procedures which can be used to measure bone density, including:. Most bone density scans take around half an hour or so and you can go home straight away.
You will have to make a follow-up appointment with your doctor to discuss your results. The reference population for the T-score is young adults of the same sex as the patient, while the reference population for the Z-score is a group of the same age and sex as the person being tested. Osteoporosis is diagnosed if your T-score is Bone density testing is a safe procedure and the dose of radiation is roughly the same as you would receive from the general environment in about one day.
Bone density testing is a safe and painless procedure with no after-effects. You can resume your normal activities as soon as the test is finished. If you have osteoporosis, for example, you may need to have repeat bone density tests to make sure your treatment is helping to preserve the integrity of your bones.
Try to have all future tests at the same testing facility using the same machine. This will rule out the possibility of any measurement differences between machines or facilities. Standard x-rays can only detect osteoporosis when around one-third of the bone mass has already gone. This means that x-rays cannot detect osteoporosis in its earlier stages. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. The abdominal muscles support the trunk, allow movement and hold organs in place by regulating internal abdominal pressure.
Acromegaly is caused by an excess of growth hormone in adults, which causes the overgrowth of bones in the face, hands, feet and internal organs. Exercise can prevent age-related changes to muscles, bones and joints and can reverse these changes too. The bones that are most commonly tested are in the spine, hip and sometimes the forearm.
With bone loss, the outer shell of a bone becomes thinner and the interior becomes more porous. Normal bone is strong and flexible.
Osteoporotic bone is weaker and subject to fracture. The higher your bone mineral content, the denser your bones are. And the denser your bones, the stronger they generally are and the less likely they are to break.
Bone density tests differ from bone scans. Bone scans require an injection beforehand and are usually used to detect fractures, cancer, infections and other abnormalities in the bone. Although osteoporosis is more common in older women, men also can develop the condition. Regardless of your sex or age, your doctor may recommend a bone density test if you've:.
Be sure to tell your doctor beforehand if you've recently had a barium exam or had contrast material injected for a CT scan or nuclear medicine test.
Contrast materials might interfere with your bone density test. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and avoid wearing clothes with zippers, belts or buttons. Leave your jewelry at home and remove all metal objects from your pockets, such as keys, money clips or change. For women over 65 and men over 70, DEXA scans are only appropriate for those with moderate risk of fracture or when the results will change the patients care plan.
Younger women and men ages 50 to 69 should consider the test if they have risk factors for serious bone loss. Risk factors include:. You may need a follow-up bone-density test after several years, depending on the results of your first test. The most common drugs to treat bone loss are Fosamax generic alendronate and Actonel generic risedronate.
These drugs have benefits and risks to think about and discuss with your health care provider. Common side effects include upset stomach, difficulty swallowing, and heartburn. Rare side effects include bone, joint and muscle pain, cracks in the thighbones, bone loss in the jaw, and heart rhythm problems.
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