A bone scan is the only way to diagnose osteoporosis before a broken bone happens. A bone density test, or DEXA scan, may be done on your hip or spine to estimate your bone density and determine if treatment is necessary.
Facts About Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition in which the mass of your bones decreases so that your bones are weaker and brittle. This is because your body can’t replace the old bone with new bone fast enough. Your bones then become porous, with holes and spaces that are larger than normal.
It is often difficult to know if you have osteoporosis as you may not have daily symptoms. Some patients do have pain in their back and can have limited mobility. Other side effects of osteoporosis can include bone fracture often in the hip, spine, or wrist. It can also cause patients to lose height or have a hunched posture.
Who Should I Have a Bone Density Test in Plano TX
If you’ve recently broken a bone and have one or more other risk factors, you may need to have a bone density exam. Women are more likely than men to have osteoporosis, and most people affected are at least 50 years old or older.
It is recommended that you have a bone density test at Southwest Diagnostic Imaging Center if you:
- Are a woman over age 65 or a man over age 70
- Are a menopausal woman or man over the age of 50 with risk factors
- Have broken a bone over the age of 50
- Have height loss in your spine
A DEXA bone scan can be done in our Dallas, Texas office to determine your bone density. One of our radiologists will interpret the results to see if you have normal bone density, low bone density, or if osteoporosis is present.
Contact Southwest Diagnostic Imaging Center to schedule an appointment for a bone density DEXA scan at (214) 345-6905.