| In the course of my daily work, I continue to get | | | | operating the machine is seated close nearby. |
| patients that have no idea what a Bone Mineral | | | | Some facilities will require you change into a |
| Density test (BMD) involves. Some think it is | | | | patient gown, removing any items with zippers, |
| similar to a bone scan (which is a Nuclear Medicine | | | | buttons, belts, etc. Others may ask you to come |
| test), or an MRI or a CT (CAT) scan. Others | | | | dressed in clothing without any metal objects on |
| think it involves needles or drills to get a sample | | | | them and in this case you will not need to change |
| of bone to test! Ouch! | | | | and can be safely scanned in the clothes you are |
| In fact, a BMD test (sometimes referred to as a | | | | wearing. It will depend on the department's |
| DEXA, or DXA scan) is quite likely one of the | | | | protocol as to what they require you to wear (or |
| easiest medical tests you will ever have. All it | | | | not wear). |
| really involves is for the patient to lie on their | | | | After your scan is completed, the results are |
| back on a cushioned table top while being scanned. | | | | prepared by the technologist for the Radiologist (a |
| A typical exam involves the scanning of the | | | | medical doctor specializing in radiology |
| Lumbar (or, lower) spine and one hip, usually the | | | | interpretation) to report. It is the radiologist's |
| left, sometimes both. If one of these areas | | | | report that the referring doctor receives. The |
| cannot be scanned for some reason, such as | | | | technologist is trained to operate the machine |
| scoliosis (excessive curvature of the spine), or | | | | efficiently as well as caring for the patient's needs. |
| metal hip replacements or surgically placed metal | | | | They cannot (and really should not) give patients |
| rods or screws in the lower spine, then a forearm | | | | any personal observations on what they see on a |
| scan is performed. | | | | scan. |
| A typical scan takes only a few minutes, after a | | | | So as you can see, a BMD test is pretty simple |
| relevant medical history along with the patient's | | | | after all and is nothing to be unduly concerned |
| weight and height are taken. As you can see, the | | | | over. If you still have questions, feel free to ask |
| arrangement is by no means claustrophobic and | | | | your doctor, or contact the Radiology department |
| the radiation dose is so low that the technologist | | | | before your scan. |