Osteoporosis is a chronic condition that occurs when there is a depletion of bone calcium and protein. The results are loss of bone mass, increased bone fragility and increased risk of fracture. Nearly 80 percent of those affected by the disease are women; however, men are also at risk for developing the condition. Currently more than 10 million people in the United States have osteoporosis and another 34 million are at high risk for the disease. Nearly 1.5 million adults have fractures, which are a direct result from the condition, making it one of the most common diseases affecting older adults. The only way to accurately diagnose osteoporosis is with a bone mineral density (BMD) test. 

 

Our partner hospitals and outpatient facilities use the “gold standard” by the International Society of Clinical Densitometry (ISCD). The DXA – dual energy x-ray absorptionmetry – scan measures the spine, hip and total body, producing computer-generated images of various skeletal sites, yielding precise bone density measurements that are unmatched by other screening equipment. The painless, non-invasive scan, which takes a few seconds, quickly identifies if a patient is at risk for fractures. Mecklenburg Radiology Associates’ radiologists are subspecialty trained to interpret bone density studies, ensuring that patients get the most accurate results. 

 

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) of osteoporosis

Courtesy of Intermountain Medical Imaging, Boise, Idaho.

Figure 1 shows a bone mineral density (BMD) test of a healthy older woman. The X-ray shows normal hipbones. The graph shows the bone mineral density number in the green zone (normal). Figure 2 shows a BMD test of an older woman with osteoporosis. The X-ray shows weaker hipbones. The graph shows the bone mineral density number in the red zone (osteoporosis), placing her at much greater risk for broken bones (fractures).

The ISCD recommends screening for:

We offer bone density testing at all hospital locations and Midtown.

Osteoporosis is a chronic condition that occurs when there is a depletion of bone calcium and protein. The results are loss of bone mass, increased bone fragility and increased risk of fracture. Nearly 80 percent of those affected by the disease are women; however, men are also at risk for developing the condition. Currently more than 10 million people in the United States have osteoporosis and another 34 million are at high risk for the disease. Nearly 1.5 million adults have fractures, which are a direct result from the condition, making it one of the most common diseases affecting older adults. The only way to accurately diagnose osteoporosis is with a bone mineral density (BMD) test. 

 

Our partner hospitals and outpatient facilities use the “gold standard” by the International Society of Clinical Densitometry (ISCD). The DXA – dual energy x-ray absorptionmetry – scan measures the spine, hip and total body, producing computer-generated images of various skeletal sites, yielding precise bone density measurements that are unmatched by other screening equipment. The painless, non-invasive scan, which takes a few seconds, quickly identifies if a patient is at risk for fractures. Mecklenburg Radiology Associates’ radiologists are subspecialty trained to interpret bone density studies, ensuring that patients get the most accurate results. 

 

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) of osteoporosis

Courtesy of Intermountain Medical Imaging, Boise, Idaho.

Figure 1 shows a bone mineral density (BMD) test of a healthy older woman. The X-ray shows normal hipbones. The graph shows the bone mineral density number in the green zone (normal). Figure 2 shows a BMD test of an older woman with osteoporosis. The X-ray shows weaker hipbones. The graph shows the bone mineral density number in the red zone (osteoporosis), placing her at much greater risk for broken bones (fractures).

The ISCD recommends screening for:

We offer bone density testing at all hospital locations and Midtown.