As people age, they tend to lose minerals from their bones, which results in lighter, less dense and more porous bones that are more likely to break. Using X-ray technology, O’Bleness’ bone densitometer measures a patient’s bone density in the hip, lower back and forearm — areas where bone loss is greatest and the risk of fracture is highest.

Bone densitometry is most commonly used to determine if a patient has osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become weak and susceptible to fracture. Although some men develop osteoporosis, the condition occurs much more often in women, especially those who have gone through menopause. Bone densitometry is much more accurate than an ordinary X-ray in detecting osteoporosis because bone loss generally doesn’t show up on an X-ray until one-fourth of the bone’s weight is gone.

When patients undergo a bone densitometry test at O’Bleness, they lie on their back on a padded table. Low-dose X-rays are then directed toward the patient’s hip, lower back and forearm. A computer processes the X-ray information and calculates bone density measurements that can then be interpreted by a physician. This procedure takes only a few minutes and is painless. Bone density testing is performed in O'Bleness' imaging satellite at the Castrop Center in the O'Bleness Medical Park.

Those who think they are at risk of developing osteoporosis should ask their physician about having a bone densitometry test.