WHAT IS BONE DENSITOMETRY AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Bone densitometry is a simple and noninvasive procedure that is used to measure bone mass and assists in the diagnosis of osteoporosis. By utilizing a very low dose of X-rays, the bone densitometry machine produces an image of your bones and calculates the strength of the bones.
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE BONE DENSITOMETRY PROCEDURE?
- We request that you arrive 15-30 minutes prior to your scheduled procedure time to complete paperwork and to change clothes if necessary.
- Please bring the written prescription your physician gave you for this procedure.
- No special patient preparation is necessary; however, it is recommended that you not wear clothing with buttons, snaps or zippers from the waist down on the day of the procedure. By wearing pants with elastic waistbands there will be no need to change into a gown for the procedure.
- If you have had an upper or lower GI or abdominal CT scan procedure within the last 10 days, we recommend that you postpone your bone densitometry procedure, as the residual barium contrast from the GI or abdominal CT scan may interfere with the results.
- We strongly encourage you to ask questions and discuss any concerns you may have prior to your procedure. Communication with our patients is an important part of the service we provide.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING THE BONE DENSITOMETRY PROCEDURE?
- You may be asked to change into a clinic gown and will be escorted to the bone densitometry room.
- A radiologic technologist will assist you onto a padded exam table and position you for the procedure.
- During the procedure a computer will obtain measurements
- of the hip and spine area. These measurements assist in the estimation of your risk for fracture.
- Our goal is to provide you with a pleasant and comfortable bone densitometry procedure. If you are uncomfortable in any way, please inform your radiologic technologist.
HOW LONG WILL THE BONE DENSITOMETRY PROCEDURE TAKE?
A bone densitometry procedure will generally take 10 minutes or less to complete.
WHEN DO I GET MY BONE DENSITOMETRY RESULTS?
Our certified radiologic technologist will prepare your bone densitometry images and measurements for the radiologist to evaluate. The radiologist will interpret your results and dictate a written report, which will be forwarded to your physician. Your physician will convey the results of the procedure to you.