Imaging
Bone density screening procedures are for people at risk for osteoporosis, a disease that can cause the bones to become weak or fragile enough to fracture or break easily. Osteoporosis affects many older people, but it can strike at any age. Postmenopausal women are often at risk for the disease because of loss of bone mass following menopause. The screening usually focuses on the lower spine bones, the femur (thighbone that joins the hip), and bones in the wrist and forearm area. The best method to detect the loss of bone density is through a large device called a dual energy X-ray scan or DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan. The machine measures bone density along your hip or spine to diagnose osteoporosis, according to the Mayo Clinic. The person undergoing the screening lies on a padded platform as the image device passes over her body. The procedure usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
Smaller Devices
A smaller peripheral device, which is portable, may also be used to measure particular areas of bone, such as the wrist or heel. This machine is referred to as PDXA, or peripheral dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The PDXA method is less expensive than the larger DEXA devices. These simpler procedures are sometimes performed at health fairs, pharmacies or medical offices. Even if bone weakness is not found through peripheral procedures, a DEXA scan might be recommended to do more detailed examination of the spine or hip to confirm the diagnosis. Other types of screening include an ultrasound method called QUS (quantitative ultrasound). It uses sound waves transmitted through the heel for about 10 seconds. QCT, or quantitative computed tomography, uses smaller amounts of radiation through ultrasound along the spine. The results from these tests may not be as accurate as the more complex DEXA technique.
Detection
Bone density tests can detect low bone density, predict chances of breaking or fracturing bones in the future, or confirm diagnosis of osteoporosis, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF). The screenings can also determine whether the bone density is remaining stable or decreasing, and monitor a person's progress and response to treatment following a bone fracture or break. Bone density tests require a prescription from a doctor in most states, the NOF notes. The doctor may recommend a place to have the screening performed. The location might also depend on a person's particular health insurance plan. Results of a screening are usually sent to the physician.
