OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING

Osteoporosis is a process that results in the loss of bone mass and this leads to weakness in the skeleton and results in bones fracturing when performing tasks that they should normally tolerate.

The screening will determine if you have osteoporosis or a pre-osteoporotic condition called osteopaenia.

When you arrive for your examination you will have to complete a confidential questionnaire which is a requirement of IRMER 2000, one of the radiation protection laws in the UK.

The scan is performed by putting your forearm into the scanner while a special type of x-ray is taken.  The scanner measures only the bone density while ignoring the muscles and other soft tissue.

The scan takes about 2 minutes after which the computer calculates the results.  The results are then printed out and a copy is given to the patient.  The results are displayed in bone mineral content in grams and the density in grams per square centimetre.  In addition the computer compares bone densities to a database and produces T-scores and Z-scores.

The Z-score compares your bone density to people of your own age group while the T-score compares your density to that of a young healthy population.  T-scores going down to -1.0 are within the normal range, -1.0 to -2.5 is osteopaenic and below -2.5 is within the osteoporotic range.

If your score is low, please do not panic.  These conditions are treatable which is the main reason for having the scan in the first place!

According to your score a recommendation for a follow up scan is made.  This is never less than two years, as the bones do not change very quickly, and may be as long as five years if your scores are within the normal range.

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Next clinic date is

SATURDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER 2008

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If you require any information please call us on 01480 492088