1. Osteoporosis Slideshow Pictures
2. Super Foods for Your Bones Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the Osteoporosis Quiz

Medical Author:

Jason C. Eck, DO, MS

Jason C. Eck, DO, MS

Dr. Eck received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Catholic University of America in Biomedical Engineering, followed by a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University. Following this he worked as a research engineer conducting spine biomechanics research. He then attended medical school at University of Health Sciences. He is board eligible in orthopaedic surgery.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

View Full Profile

In this Article

• What is osteoporosis?
• How does osteoporosis occur?
• What is "bone mineral density" (BMD)?
• Why is BMD measurement important?
• What is the relationship between BMD and fracture risk?
• Who should have BMD testing?
• How is BMD measured?
• What are other methods of measuring BMD?
• How often should DEXA scans be repeated to monitor treatment?
• What is the cost of DEXA?
• What about the accuracy of BMD testing in the doctor's office using smaller equipment?
• Summary
• Bone Density Scan At A Glance
• Patient Comments: Bone Density Scan - Experience
• Find a local Rheumatologist in your town
• Bone Density Scan Index

Why is BMD measurement important?

Determining a person's BMD helps a doctor decide if a person is at increased risk for osteoporosis-related fracture. The purpose of BMD testing is to help predict the risk of future fracture. The information from a BMD is used to aid a decision as to whether prescription medicine therapy is needed to help reduce the risk of fracture. Additionally, if a patient has a fracture or is planning orthopaedic surgery, a diagnosis of osteoporosis might affect the surgical plan. A fracture that could potentially heal in a cast with normal bone mass might require either a longer period of casting or even surgery if the patient has osteoporosis.

What is the relationship between BMD and fracture risk?

In patients with low bone mass at the hip or the spine (the two areas traditionally measured with DEXA scanning), there is a two- to threefold increase in the incidence of any osteoporotic fracture. In other words, low bone density at the measured areas of the spine and hip can even predict future osteoporotic fractures at other parts of the body besides the spine and hip. In subjects with a BMD in the osteoporosis range, there is approximately a five times increase in the occurrence of osteoporotic fractures.

Who should have BMD testing?

BMD testing is recommended for all women over the age of 65. Additionally, postmenopausal women under 65 years who have risk factors for osteoporosis other than menopause (these include a previous history of fractures, low body weight, cigarette smoking, and a family history of fractures) should be tested. Finally, men or women with strong risk factors as listed below should discuss the benefit of DEXA scanning with their doctor to see if testing is indicated.

The following are potential risk factors for osteoporosis that might suggest the need for DEXA scanning:

• personal history of fracture as an adult,



• history of fracture in first-degree relative,



• low body weight or thin body stature,



• advanced age,



• current cigarette smoking,



• use of corticosteroid therapy for more than three months,



• impaired vision,



• estrogen deficiency at early age,



• dementia,



• poor health/frailty,



• recent falls,



• lifelong low calcium intake,



• low physical activity,



• alcohol intake of more than two drinks/day,



• thyroid disease,



• rheumatoid arthritis,



• excessive caffeine consumption, and



• use of oral contraceptive (birth control pills).