The Auxiliary of Glacial Ridge Health System pledged $50,000 toward the new DEXA Scan bone density scanner for the Radiology Department in 2021 and has been raising money to fulfill their pledge through their Harvest Ball fundraisers. The machine has arrived, and staff is now fully trained on the new equipment with more advanced technology than the previous DEXA Scan.

Why Get a Bone Density Test?

Identifying osteoporosis in the early stages is challenging without a bone density test. That is why osteoporosis is often called “the silent disease.” It doesn’t produce symptoms as bone loss occurs. Over time, the condition becomes more serious and increases the chances of bone breakage, most commonly occurring in the vertebrae, hip, and forearm.

That’s where the DEXA Scan comes in. Amanda Kath, manager of the Radiology Department, states, “This is a safe, accurate, and painless imaging test that provides a lot of beneficial information for your doctor to help manage your bone health.” The scan takes only a few minutes, and the entire process lasts 10 to 20 minutes. The DEXA Scan involves no injections or invasive procedures.

Fracture Assessment

An additional capability is a fracture risk assessment. This feature can evaluate the risks of osteoporosis-related bone fractures based on certain personal and medical factors. Along with DEXA and the fracture risk assessment feature, these can help prevent the development of osteoporosis bone fractures or slow down the disease if you already have it. If you’re 60 or older, ask your doctor when a bone density scan is recommended for you.

If you don’t have a primary care doctor, we have a large team of providers to care for you.