Millions of women and men in the United States have low bone density, greatly increasing their risk of fracture. Such fractures pose significant risks to your health, and can potentially cause fatal complications. You may not know that you have dangerously low bone density until a relatively minor strain, bump, or fall causes a fracture.

Low bone density is referred to as osteopenia, and more advanced bone loss is termed osteoporosis. Osteopenia/osteoporosis cause architectural deterioration and weakening of bone with a consequent increase in fragility, thus significantly increasing the risk of fracture(s). Osteoporosis is a “silent disease.” Bone loss typically occurs without symptoms.

The best way to determine your individual risk of fracture is a bone density (DEXA) scan. Bone density screening, also referred to as Dual Energy X-ray Absorptometry (DEXA), utilizes safe, low energy X-rays to diagnose the presence of low bone density. The test is fast and painless. As you rest on a table, a small scanning arm passes over your spine, hips, and wrists. A sophisticated computer gathers the information and then calculates your bone density.

Albany Advanced Imaging uses a state-of-the-art General Electric/Lunar Densitometer, capable of providing fast and accurate analysis of the spine, hips, and wrists. These particular bones are important to investigate because they are the sites most likely to fracture in the presence of underlying low bone density.

Regular, periodic DEXA scanning allows your doctor to:

• Detect low bone density before a fracture occurs;
• Confirm a diagnosis of osteoporosis if you already have a fracture;
• Predict your chances of fracture in the future;
• Determine your rate of bone loss over time; and
• Monitor your response to treatment, assuring that your medications are arresting further bone loss and are helping you to rebuild bone strength.

Albany Advanced Imaging employs board certified bone density specialists who have completed training under the auspices of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD), today’s standard-setter for DEXA throughout the world. The ISCD suggests that women age 45 and older, and men age 50 and older, obtain a screening bone density measurement. However, your physician may recommend a bone density scan at an earlier age, based on your particular medical history.

Prior to having a bone density test, please inform the technologist if you are, or could be, pregnant. No other preparation is necessary.