


At some locations, there may also be a vertebral fracture assessment during a DEXA scan. In some cases, the technician scans the wrist, finger, and lower arm. These are common locations of fractures in people with osteoporosis. When the purpose is to measure bone density, the technician tends to scan the hips and spine. It is crucial to remain still throughout the scan. During the scanĭuring the procedure, the imaging arm moves slowly over the person’s body while a beam of low-dose energy passes through them.
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The technician places the imaging device above them and the X-ray generator below them. A person may need to change into a hospital gown and remove any metal objects that they are wearing, such as jewelry and eyeglasses.Īt the start of the scan, the person lies on their back on the exam table. Before the scanĪn X-ray technician performs the scan on an outpatient basis. However, anyone taking a calcium supplement may need to stop taking it around 24 hours before the scan. Overall, females tend to develop loss of bone density sooner than males.Ī person does not need to prepare - they can eat and drink as usual on the day of the procedure. The foundation also recommends a scan for anyone who has gone through menopause before age 65 and has any risk factor for low bone density, such as steroid medication use or low body weight. People receiving treatment for osteoporosis may require a scan every 1 or 2 years. The ideal frequency may vary, depending on the results. The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that females aged over 65 and males aged over 70 have at least one DEXA scan.

These scans can help indicate how effective osteoporosis treatments are because they can show whether the condition is staying the same, worsening, or improving. This can help doctors diagnose and assess osteoporosis, which causes the bones to thin and become more fragile.ĭiagnosing and treating osteoporosis early can keep it from worsening and reduce the risk of fractures.Īfter the first DEXA scan, a doctor may schedule another in a few years to look for any changes. A DEXA scan can show whether a person’s bones have lost density and have a high risk of fracturing.
