What is Bone Measurement (Densitometry)?

Bone measurement or densitometry is a medical test in which bone density is measured. This test is used to evaluate how susceptible the bones are to fracture.

The densitometry test measures bone density using X-rays. This test is especially important for the diagnosis and treatment of a bone resorption disease called osteoporosis. Osteoporosis causes bones to gradually weaken and become more prone to fracture.

Why is Bone Measurement (Densitometry) Important?

Bone measurement or densitometry is an important test for assessing bone health. Measuring bone density helps identify and prevent the risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis causes bones to weaken and become more prone to fracture and is a common disease among older people. Bone density measurement helps determine a person's risk of osteoporosis and then establish an appropriate treatment plan.

Especially post-menopausal women, men with low body weight, those taking steroid therapy, those with chronic kidney disease or thyroid disease are among those who are recommended to have a bone measurement test.

Bone measurement is also used to monitor bone health. Once treated, it is important for bone density to increase or remain stable so that the disease does not progress and the risk of fractures is reduced. For this reason, regular bone density tests are recommended for people with osteoporosis.

How is Bone Measurement (Densitometry) Performed?

Densitometry or bone measurement is a method used to measure bone density. This method is important for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis or other bone diseases.

Bone measurement is usually done using a technique called dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). This technique measures bone density through the use of different energies of x-rays.

The preparation process for bone measurement is quite simple. The patient is warned that there should be no metal in his clothing. In addition, it is not recommended for pregnant women to have bone measurements.

During bone measurement, a bed or table is used on which the patient must lie on his back. Under the bed are the X-ray tube and detectors of the DXA device. The patient's pelvis and lower back are measured with a scanning device placed under the DXA device.
Bone measurement usually takes 10-20 minutes. The method is quite fast and painless. Results are evaluated against a measure of bone density called a t-score or z-score. These scores show how healthy or at risk the patient's bone density is.

Those who want to have a bone measurement should first talk to a doctor and get information about the risks of bone diseases and their suitability for bone measurement.