Bone density testing can help your physician predict your risk of developing osteoporosis and forecast the risk of future fractures. Medication options include estrogen replacement therapy and remineralization replacement therapy, like calcitonin, and the new generation of remineralization drugs like alendronate. Bone densitometry is an instant snapshot of bone status. Current technology allows the human bone to be evaluated at a variety of sites including the spine, hip, wrist, hand and heel. During the procedure, no undressing is required, but you should avoid clothing with large metal buttons, buckles or zippers.
Scans take from five to fifteen minutes.
Fan beam technology, the superior method of bone densitometry, is offered at OSF HealthCare facilities. Bone density measurements are compared to the mean peak bone density of young, healthy individuals and to people of the same age and sex. This information is used to diagnosis osteoporosis and predict future fracture risk and to identify people who are candidates for treatment. Follow-up bone density tests should be performed on people who are at risk for accelerated bone loss and on people who are part of any osteoporosis prevention treatment program. The information may be used to check for stability of bone density and to monitor the effectiveness of bone mineralization treatment.