Bone Density Scan

What is Bone Health Testing?

The evaluation of bone health has become an important aspect of your wellness. Osteoporosis, the most common bone disease in humans, is a silent disease until it is complicated by fractures.

OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center provides assessment of the two most definitive factors associated with osteoporotic fracture risk: low bone mineral density and the presence of vertebral fractures.

Low Bone Mineral Density

Bone Mineral Density (BMD) testing involves a low dose scan of usually the spine and the hip.

Bone mass measurements from these two areas can help physicians confirm the diagnosis of osteoporosis and assess the relative risk of future osteoporotic fracture.

The Presence of Vertebral Fractures

Instant Vertebral Assessment (IVA) testing identifies fractures with a single low dose image. The presence of one or more vertebral fractures dramatically increases the risk of future fracture.

Published studies have demonstrated that up to 30% of patients needing treatment are missed using Bone Mineral Density testing alone.

This simple test can help clinicians identify fractures that are not discernable by normal physical examinations.