Alliance Medical

Accurate measurement of bone density to slow or reverse osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. It develops slowly and is often only diagnosed after breaking a bone. Bones are at their strongest and most dense in early adult life and gradually begin to lose density from around the age of 35.

Around one in three women, and one in twelve men in the UK will develop osteoporosis after the age of 50. An estimated three million people in the UK suffer from the disease, which can lead to bone breaks and fractures after minor impacts. If detected early, there are a variety of medications which can slow or reverse the
progress of osteoporosis.

Bone Mineral Density (BMD) scan

At Alliance Medical, we can accurately measure the density of the spine and hips. A Bone Mineral Density (BMD) scan is a fast and painless examination, with a low dose of radiation exposure. During the scan, the level of x-ray absorption is monitored giving an accurate indication of the density of your bones. Using this information we can calculate your individual bone density score and determine whether you have osteoporosis.

You may consider a Bone Mineral Density scan if any of the following apply:

post-menopausal
fractured a bone after minimal trauma
family history of osteoporosis
currently taking steroid medication
undergoing treatment for prostate or breast cancer
have ever had an eating disorder