How is a bone scan performed?
A radioisotope tracer containing a small amount of radioactive material is injected into a vein through a small needle. In some cases an initial scan will be performed immediately after the injection to determine the blood flow pattern to the part of the body being scanned. Following the injection, it takes two to three hours for the radioisotope to enter the bones. During this time you should drink several glasses of water or other fluids. After two to three hours, the scan is performed using a gamma camera which detects the amount and location of the radioisotope in the bones. The scan with the gamma camera takes approximately thirty to sixty minutes.
