Dexa bone density scans

What is a DEXA scan?

Dexa bone density scans, or dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) bone density scanning is the most commonly used diagnostic technique for osteoporosis.

As osteoporosis causes no symptoms until a bone is broken, it has traditionally been difficult to identify who may have fragile bones before a fracture occurs. Advances in technology and the development of bone densitometry (the measurement of bone density) enable us to now detect osteoporosis prior to any bones breaking. This gives individuals who are at a higher risk of fractures the opportunity to take treatments and adopt lifestyle changes in order to reduce their risk of breaking their bones.

Why do I need a bone scan?

Osteoporosis is currently diagnosed on a bone density scanning machine when the amount of bone we have, as measured on the scan, is found to be significantly lower than average. The lower our bone density, the higher risk we have of breaking bones.

Bone density scans, or Dexa scans, are only recommended for people who are considered to be at risk of having a fragility fracture.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis literally means ‘porous bones’. It occurs when the struts that make up the structure within bones become thin, causing bones to become fragile and break more easily following a minor fall. These broken bones are often referred to as fragility fractures.

Although fractures can occur in different parts of the body, the wrists, hips and spine are most commonly affected. It is these broken bones or fractures which can lead to the pain associated with osteoporosis. Spinal fractures can also cause loss of height and curvature of the spine.

Osteoporosis is a major health issue that results in an osteoporotic fracture in 1 in 3 women, yet it is completely manageable if potential risks are established in time.

What will happen when I have a Dexa scan?

A DEXA scan involves lying on a firm couch while a scanning arm passes over the body taking an image of the spine and hips. Your Bone Density Scan will take approximately ten minutes. It is a quick, simple and comfortable procedure.

Bone Density Scans are a simple, painless procedure that uses very low doses of radiation, which is similar to natural background radiation – less than one tenth of the dosage of a chest x-ray.

It does not involve being enclosed in a mechanical tunnel or having any injections.

Usually you will not have to remove any of your clothing, but if there is a significant amount of metal near the hips or along the spinal area, this clothing may have to be removed so it does not affect the scan.

What is the difference between a DEXA scan and an ultrasound?

Ultrasound is an alternative method of investigating the health of other organs in your body, such as imaging the womb, liver, kidney, gallbladder, spleen, ovaries, bladder, breasts and eyes.

It works by generating sound waves of a high frequency, which are beamed into the body. The echoes of the reflected sound, or the rate and path of transmission of the sound, are used to build up an electronic image or measurement of the structure being examined. Ultrasound does not use radiation.

Can I get a Dexa scan in London?

You will be scanned in the comfort of our private clinic on Harley Street using a cutting edge DEXA scanner installed in its own room.

How do I book a Dexa Scan at 92 Harley Street?

You can book a Bone Density Scan at 92 Harley Street with no referral required, and no consultation fee.