Have you had a bone scan done to measure bone density and fracture risk? If so, then you probably know what a bone densitometer is. It’s a specific kind of x-ray system that uses two x-ray beams to measure the calcium content of bone to reflect bone density and bone fracture risk. Each x-ray beam has a different energy level that’s aimed at the patient’s bones. The soft tissue absorption is subtracted, and then the Body Mineral Density (BMD) can be determined from the absorption of each beam by bone. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry is the most popular bone density measurement technology used.
It’s also called a DXA or DEXA (Dual-energy x-ray Absorptiometry) scan, which uses a small amount of x-ray to measure the amount of mineral in the bones. DEXA is most often used to diagnose osteoporosis, a condition that involves a gradual loss of calcium, as well as structural changes causing the bones to become thinner and more fragile. This can result in scary skeleton breaks.
The DXA test can also assess a patient’s risk for developing fractures and tracking effects of treatment for osteoporosis and other conditions that cause bone loss. The risk of fracture is affected by age, body weight, history of prior fracture, family history of osteoporotic fractures and life style choices, such as smoking and drinking extreme amounts of alcohol.
If an older patient has lost more than an inch of height or has unexplained back pain, oftentimes a Lateral Vertebral Assessment (LVA) is ideal. It’s a low dose x-ray examination of the spine to screen for vertebral fractures.
Most people think that their bones are static and don’t change, but the truth is that they are constantly in flux. Specialized cells in the body are busy destroying old bits of bone and replacing them with new bone. But as people age, they lose bone faster than they can replace it and end up with brittle and porous bones. That’s why it’s so easy for elders to fracture a spine or hip, which can lead to chronic pain, deformity, disability, depression and even death. A Bone Densitometer scan will let patients know if they have a propensity for brittle bones.
Everyone knows that Baby Boomers represent the largest segment of American population. As they age, there will be more and more need for scans with a Bone Densitometer. This presents a great opportunity for healthcare clinics, hospitals, facilities and practices. The good news is, you don’t have to run out and buy a new one. There are lots of used and refurbished Bone Densitometers on the market—and most come with impressive warranties, as well.
General Electric (GE)
Hologic
If your practice, clinic, hospital or facility is in the market for a Bone Densitometer, it’s easy to get the one you want, at a price that’s more affordable than you might think. By purchasing a used or refurbished Bone Densitometer, you get the technology you want, as well as a great warranty and service policy, for a much lower cost. And while “new” is nice, you’ll find the savings is even more attractive. Call Alex Silbergleit at 212-366-9100 or email alex@atlantisworldwide.com for more information.
About the author: Alex Silbergleit