What to expect
For the test itself, you will lie comfortably on your back on the x-ray couch. The radiographer will carefully position you so that the measurements are taken in a reproducible position. This allows follow up studies to have high accuracy.

The scanner rapidly directs x-ray energy from two different sources towards the bone being examined in an alternating fashion at a set frequency. The mineral density of the patient's bone weakens, or prolongs the transmission of these two sources of x-ray energy through a filter onto a counter in a degree related to the amount of bone mass present. The greater the bone mineral density, the greater the signal picked up by the photon counter. The use of the two different x-ray energy sources rather than more traditional radioisotope studies (such that would be used for a bone scan) greatly improves the precision and accuracy of the measurements.

The procedure is painless and lasts approximately half an hour.

The Results
Your diagnostic results will be provided to your primary care physician within 12-24 hours. These results may be provided digitally on CD along with viewing software.