Skip Navigation
Skip Main Content

Top Rheumatologists At Denver Arthritis Clinic

DEXA Scan (DXA)

Osteoporosis and associated fractures can rob you of your mobility and independence. Osteoporosis is a 'silent disease' that reduces the strength of your bones, causing them to become brittle and prone to fractures.

A DEXA test is considered the “gold standard” in measuring your bone health and catching the early signs of osteoporosis, allowing you to begin treatment as quickly as possible. The DEXA is a highly sensitive scan and is more comprehensive than the peripheral machines (finger or heel), so the results are more accurate. This makes the DEXA test the best way to tell if you have thinning bones.

At the Denver Arthritis Clinic, our team of experts can provide you with DEXA testing and make a detailed assessment of your bone health. The scan is quick, comfortable, and painless – taking only about 10 minutes to complete. We’ll review the results with you and discuss a personalized treatment plan if needed.

With early detection through a DEXA test, you can be proactive in protecting your bone health. Don’t wait -- schedule your DEXA scan with DAC today at our Lone Tree location. We look forward to helping you protect your body.

Appointments

Woman receiving a SEXA scan

Bone Density Test for Osteoporosis

Bone Density Test: What Is It & How It's Done

The DEXA machine measures your bone density by performing a painless, touch-free scan, similar to an x-ray. Here’s how it works:

  • You will be asked to lie on a padded table while a movable arm passes over the area to be tested, such as the arms, spine or hips.
  • In a matter of minutes, depending on the number of sites to be scanned, our DEXA machine will complete your bone density test.
  • Your results are then compared with the average BMD of healthy adults of your age and sex.

This information will help diagnose osteoporosis or assess your risk for developing osteoporosis in the future. The test is non-invasive and does not require any medication or injections.

Physicians recommend BMD testing for many different types of patients, including patients taking steroid medication, patients with hyperthyroidism, patients who have had a fracture in which osteoporosis is suspected and postmenopausal women with risk factors for osteoporosis. We may schedule a BMD test to help confirm a diagnosis of osteoporosis before a fracture occurs, detect low bone mass before osteoporosis develops or monitor the effects of treatment on bone density over time.

BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS WITH DEXA

Body Fat Composition Analysis

At the Denver Arthritis Clinic, we offer an advanced body fat composition analysis to help our patients understand their bodies better and make informed decisions about their health. Our advanced analysis looks at your total body composition and can provide a personalized analysis of your percentages of fat mass, lean muscle mass, bone mineral density, and water. This data can be used to evaluate your current health status alongside any dietary changes or exercise routine you may be implementing.

Our body fat composition analysis is done using Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan which is considered the gold standard in body composition testing due to its accuracy. During the test, a technician will guide you through the process as you lie on a special table equipped with a scanner that passes over your body two times. The entire process takes roughly 10 minutes and requires no special preparation beforehand.

Our team will then use this data to provide customized recommendations for diet and physical activity plans tailored to individual goals and lifestyle needs. We understand the importance of creating an action plan that fits best with our patients' lifestyles so they can feel confident knowing that their health goals are achievable yet sustainable long-term.

The pricing for body fat composition analysis with DAC is $120.00. Patients will need to pay before the service is performed.

If you have any questions about our body fat composition analysis or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact our office today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I get a DEXA test for osteoporosis? Am I at risk?

Approximately half of all women over the age of 50 have osteoporosis and are at risk of an osteoporosis-related fracture. With the results of your test, you and your doctor can determine what lifestyle changes or treatment measures should be taken. If osteoporosis is diagnosed, treatments are available that can increase bone density and reduce the risk of fracture. Early diagnosis can make a difference in your life.

Additional risk factors that can contribute to thinning bones or osteoporosis include family history, Caucasian (white) or Asian descent, small or thin build, smoking, infrequent exercise, excessive use of alcoholic or caffeinated beverages or a diet deficient in calcium and vitamin D. Be sure to discuss your risk factors with your doctor. However, osteoporosis can develop with no risk factors.

Is the DEXA bone scan safe?

Bone mineral density (BMD) tests use small amounts of radiation to determine the density of the spine, hip or total body. Your radiation exposure will be about the same as you would experience on a cross-country airline flight, which is a fraction of what you would receive from a chest X-ray.

How should I prepare for a DEXA scan near me?

For your comfort, wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing without zippers, buckles or metal buttons during the exam. Unless instructed otherwise, eat normally on the day of the exam but do not take calcium supplements for at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.

You should not have a barium study, radioisotope injection or oral or intravenous contrast material from a CT scan or MRI within seven days prior to your DEXA test.

How can I get started with the best arthritis doctor near me?

At Denver Arthritis Clinic in Lone Tree, CO, we make it as simple as possible for patients to get started on the road to relief. Just take the first step and fill out our online form.

Note: The Denver Arthritis Clinic only provides DEXA scans for DAC patients.