The DEXA test is easy, quick, and painless, and it’s
one of the most accurate and most common ways to measure
bone mineral density. Bone density exam can detect
small changes in bone mass and can help diagnose osteoporosis
at its earliest stages.
The test is to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Osteoporosis
is often called a “silent disease” is a condition
in which the body loses bone at a rate faster than it can
be replaced. It often occurs in women after menopause, and
those who have it are at increased risk of fractures, loss
of height, and developing a curved spine.
On the day of the exam calcium supplement or multiple vitamins
should not be taken. The calcium supplement that is
not completely dissolved can be interpreted as extra bone
mineral causing inaccurate reading of the exam.
The test takes approximately fifteen minutes to complete. The
patient is instructed to lie on the table and the technologist
placed a cushion under the patients’ knees to comfort
them during the exam. It is important that the patient
does not move during the scanning period and can relax while
getting their pictures taken.
Your Bone Density images will be analyzed by a radiologist,
a physician who specializes in Bone density testing. The
radiologist will send a signed report which includes an interpretation
of the image to your primary physician. Your physician will
receive your results soon after. At KMC we print the exam
results and place it in the patient’s permanent jacket. Another
copy is mailed to the referring physician along with the
final report.
Our board certified Radiologists are specially trained to
diagnose and interpret the images. At KMC the Radiography
technologists are specially trained in the theory and practice
of Bone Density procedures and operate the equipment used
during the procedure. The technologists are board certified
(ARRT) and the KMC is fully accredited by the American College
of Radiology.
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