DEXA-scan, or dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, is the most exact way to measure bone density. This test is done by delivering low doses of radiation at the most vulnerable areas for bone loss. The amount of bone loss is calculated from the amount of energy that travels through the bone and is picked up by the detector. The test takes about 10 minutes and is done with the patient fully clothed. DEXA-scan is most often used to diagnose osteoporosis, a condition that often affects women after menopause but may also be found in men. Osteoporosis involves a gradual loss of calcium, causing the bones to become thinner, more fragile and more likely to break. The DEXA-scan test can also assess your risk for developing fractures. If your bone density is found to be low, you and your physician can work together on a treatment plan to help prevent fractures before they occur. DEXA-scan is also effective in tracking the effects of treatment for osteoporosis or for other conditions that cause bone loss. If you have questions, please talk to your physician or call the Imaging Department at 406-823-6441.