Miller Orthopaedic Affliates

» Arthritis/Joint Replacement

» Osteoporosis Screening

렁 Bone DXA Scan

» Bone DXA Scan

» Carpal Tunnel Testing

» Extremity MRI

» Workman's Comp

Home » Our Services » Osteoporosis Screening

What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone structure resulting in fragile bones. A person with osteoporosis has a significantly increased risk for fractures, especially of the hip, spine and wrist. Any bone, however, can be affected.

Osteoporosis is often called a "silent disease" and is underdiagnosed, according to the Surgeon General. Many people don't know their bones are thinning until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain, bump or fall causes a fracture. A woman can lose up to 20% of her bone density in the first five to seven years after menopause. The good news is that if bone loss is detected early, fractures may be prevented.

Who is at Risk for Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans, or 55% of people 50 years of age and older, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. In the United States, 10 million people are estimated to have osteoporosis and 34 million more are estimated to have low bone mass, placing them at an increased risk for osteoporosis.

Eighty percent of people affected by osteoporosis are women. One in two women and one in four men over age 50 will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture in their remaining lifetime. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists reports that the risk of hip fracture for a woman is equal to her combined risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer. The Surgeon General reports that one in five hip-fracture patients wind up in a nursing home, and their risk of death during the next few months is up to four times that of people in their age group with healthy bones. Half of the hip fracture survivors are permanently impaired, and up to 40 percent cannot walk without assistance in the year following fracture.

There are many risk factors besides being female for osteoporosis. Remember, 20% of those with osteoporosis are men. These risk factors include:

Personal history of fracture after age 50
Current low bone mass (this is discovered with a DXA scan)
History of fracture in your parents, brothers, or sisters
Being thin and/or having a small frame
Advanced age
A family history of osteoporosis
Estrogen deficiency as a result of menopause, especially if menopause occurred before age 45 or resulted from your ovaries being removed
Abnormal absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea)
Anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder)
Low lifetime calcium intake
Vitamin D deficiency
Use of certain medications, such as steroids (pill form) and anticonvulsants
Presence of certain chronic medical conditions
Low testosterone levels in men
An inactive lifestyle
Current cigarette smoking
Excessive use of alcohol
Being Caucasian or Asian, although African Americans and Hispanic Americans are at significant risk as well

Who Should Have a Bone Density Test?

Women who have been through menopause
Anyone who has suffered a fracture of any bone from low trauma, such as a fall from standing height or a sudden strain or bump
Anyone who has had long term use of steroid medications (pill form) or anti-seizure medications
Anyone with chronic medical conditions associated with low bone mass

What is a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) test?
The BMD test, often called a DXA test, determines how strong your bones are. DXA stands for "dual energy x-ray absorptiometry", and uses a low level of radiation (about the same level you would get flying from New York to Los Angeles). The DXA scan is better than a regular x-ray at picking up low levels of bone loss. The test is painless and noninvasive, and there are no injections of dye into your body. The test takes about 15 minutes to complete.

How Should I Schedule My BMD test?
You may call our office at 712-388-0147 or 800-562-3311 ext. 147 to schedule your exam. When scheduling, keep in mind that the test cannot be done immediately after any radiographic contrast study or nuclear medicine. You must wait a minimum of 72 hours after a procedure of this type of have the BMD test done.

How Should I Prepare for My BMD test?
You will receive a questionnaire to complete prior to the test. This questionnaire asks several questions about your medications, health history, and other risk factors for osteoporosis. Please bring this with you to your appointment. Wear loose and comfortable clothing, such as sweatpants. Avoid clothing with metallic objects such as belts and metal zippers. If you have trouble finding something appropriate to wear, we have gowns available for you to change into. On the day your test is scheduled, delay taking your calcium supplement or multivitamin until after the scan is completed.

How Will I Get My BMD Test Results?
Our nurse practitioner can immediately explain your results to you. We provide many educational handouts regarding osteoporosis, its prevention and treatment. We will review your current calcium and vitamin D intake and help you find ways to make sure your daily requirements are met. We will also discuss lifestyle changes that can improve your bone health. If the BMD test is ordered by your doctor at Miller Orthopaedic Affiliates, treatment options (if necessary) are discussed. If your primary care provider ordered the test, results will be sent to that office the same day as your test so that you can discuss treatment options with that healthcare professional.

How Often Should I have a BMD Test?
The general rule of thumb is to have a DXA scan every two years. If treatment for bone loss is prescribed, the DXA is generally repeated annually to evaluate your response to the treatment. Insurance typically will pay for the test every two years or at shorter intervals if bone loss is being treated and monitored.

Some information was provided by:

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Medical Guidelines for Clinical Practice for the Prevention and Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis.
Report of the Surgeon General's Workshop on Osteoporosis and Bone Health

For more information about any of our services,

call 712-388-0147