What does a bone scan involve?

stlucia
stlucia Member Posts: 392
edited 4. Feb 2010, 11:22 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi all,

Has anyone had a bone scan? What happens and what might it show up?

Eek!!

Comments

  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi there, Lucia

    I had a DEXA scan last summer, checking for bone density - it shows whether you have osteoporosis (brittle bones) or not.
    Nothing to it - just lying on a couch while they move the machine over you......you do have to lie still. Took about 20/25 mins.

    Unfortunately it showed that I did have full osteoporosis of the spine with a high risk of fracture. My hips were fine, but my neck was borderline as well. Am now taking meds for it and should be having another scan this year to check.

    Hope this helps

    Annie
    xx
  • livinglegend
    livinglegend Member Posts: 1,425
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    A bone scan checks the density of your bones to see if they have thinned and you have osteoporosis. If there is no metal in your clothes, which can mislead the machine, then you can stay fully dressed.

    It is just a big machine with a flat table that you lie on and then a long arm moves backwards and forwards over you while you lie still for about 20 minutes. That's it.

    Just like lying on a big photocopier.

    Joseph 8)
    Josephm0310.gif
  • joyful164
    joyful164 Member Posts: 2,401
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    annie_mial wrote:
    Hi there, Lucia

    I had a DEXA scan last summer, checking for bone density - it shows whether you have osteoporosis (brittle bones) or not.
    Nothing to it - just lying on a couch while they move the machine over you......you do have to lie still. Took about 20/25 mins.

    Unfortunately it showed that I did have full osteoporosis of the spine with a high risk of fracture. My hips were fine, but my neck was borderline as well. Am now taking meds for it and should be having another scan this year to check.

    Hope this helps

    Annie
    xx

    Hi Annie

    Do you think this damage was caused by taking steroids. Preds?
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    joyful164 wrote:
    annie_mial wrote:
    Hi there, Lucia

    I had a DEXA scan last summer, checking for bone density - it shows whether you have osteoporosis (brittle bones) or not.
    Nothing to it - just lying on a couch while they move the machine over you......you do have to lie still. Took about 20/25 mins.

    Unfortunately it showed that I did have full osteoporosis of the spine with a high risk of fracture. My hips were fine, but my neck was borderline as well. Am now taking meds for it and should be having another scan this year to check.

    Hope this helps

    Annie
    xx

    Hi Annie

    Do you think this damage was caused by taking steroids. Preds?

    Hi, Joy, yes Pred - it's steroid induced.

    Annie
  • joyful164
    joyful164 Member Posts: 2,401
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Annie

    I take the Alecdronic tablet each week. Isn't this suppose to keep osteoporisis at bay, a protection? You've got me worried now.

    Joy
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Don't worry Joy, you'll be fine with those - I couldn't take them and we had a lot of probs finding something I could take..........sorted now, I'm taking Strontium Ranelate. Hopefully that will do the trick and increase my spinal density.

    Annie
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yes A DEXA is nothing to worry about...like everyone says...you just lie there.
    It didnt show osteoporosis with me but it did show osteopenia...never heard of that before but its n in between thing....I dont have osteoporosis but my bones are much thinner than they should be.
    I'm taking that weekly tablet as well......when I remember LOL
    Also 2 a day {cant remember the name}ones that disolve.

    Love
    Hileena