What is a Bone Density exam?
A bone density test, sometimes called a Dexa scan, is a bone density measurement, which indicates how solid bones are, and how strongly they are fortified by calcium. The bone density test is a very simple procedure using a very low dose of radiation. The patient lies down on the scan table and two images are taken, one of the spine and one of the hip. The computer generates images of the region scanned. The computer, to obtain the bone mineral density value, then analyzes the images. Bone mineral measurements are highly correlated with bone strength and have been shown emphatically to predict fractures and the status of osteoporosis.
