DXA bone density scan

You have been advised to have a bone density scan and would like to know what to expect. You may already have a printout with numbers, graphs and a T-score, without knowing what they mean for your everyday life. DXA, also known as DEXA, measures bone mineral density. The result helps to assess osteoporosis and the risk of fractures. Medical interpretation is what makes the measurement useful: what do the findings mean in your situation, and what should happen next?

DXA measures how much mineralised bone tissue is present in specific areas. The lumbar spine and hip are usually examined. The scanner uses a low dose of X-rays. The measurement is taken from outside the body; no injection or tissue sample is required. The result helps to identify low bone density and to include it in a risk assessment. However, it cannot predict whether or when you personally will have a fracture. Falls, previous fractures and other medical factors also influence this risk.

A scan may be relevant if osteoporosis is suspected, if certain risk factors are present or for targeted monitoring. A fracture after a minor injury or strain, certain conditions or medicines taken over a longer period can be reasons to assess bone health more closely. Whether a DXA scan is useful now also depends on which decision the result is intended to inform. If treatment is already underway, for example, it is worth asking whether a repeat scan at the proposed time will provide useful information. Wanting reassurance is understandable, but very frequent scans do not automatically provide greater clarity.

For the scan, you lie on an examination couch. Your legs or hip are positioned as needed for the area being measured. A scanning arm moves over that part of your body. You are not inside an enclosed tunnel. You need to lie as still as possible during the scan so that the measurement can be evaluated. If back or hip symptoms make lying down difficult, please tell us before the scan starts. The team can then check which position is possible. The scan itself usually takes up only part of the appointment; the time needed for preparation and discussion of the results depends on the arrangements agreed with you.

Tell the practice about any possible pregnancy, previous operations and implants in the areas being measured. These are the hip joints and lumbar spine and, if a scan is planned there, the forearm bones near the wrist. Recent examinations using contrast agents or radioactive substances may also affect when the scan should be performed. Please bring your previous DXA reports in full where possible. Comfortable clothing without metal parts in the scan area can make preparation easier. Check the specific preparation instructions for your appointment to find out whether there is any particular advice about your medicines or calcium supplements. Please do not stop prescribed treatment on your own.

A DXA scan itself does not usually require any particular recovery time. The discussion of your results is more important. We consider the measurement alongside your medical history, previous fractures, laboratory results and other risk factors. Depending on your circumstances, a further bone health assessment may be useful. At OrthoCoast, your DXA results are medically assessed by Prof. Dr. med. habil. Hans-Christof Schober, Dr. med. Christoph Jährling, Björn Weidemann or Priv. Doz. Dr. med. habil. Richard Kasch. We discuss what the results mean for your ongoing care. Prof. Schober, Dr. med. Jährling and Mr Weidemann hold the German qualification Osteologe DVO. When arranging your appointment, please check whether the scan and the discussion of your results will take place at the same visit. If there is also a question about muscle loss, a BIA assessment can complement the examination. It provides information about body composition. A DXA bone density scan and a BIA assessment answer different questions; strength and function are assessed separately as well.

If you have been advised to have a DXA scan or would like an existing result interpreted, please mention this under “Appointments & enquiries”. If possible, tell us whether you have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis or have had a fracture. This helps the practice work with you to find the right appointment for your question.