Osteoporosis FAQ

What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a progressive disease that reduces the strength of your bone. It results in the thinning of the bone and increases the risk of fractures. Osteoporosis is not a disease that suddenly affects the elderly, but it is a progressive disease that often begins as a woman reaches menopause. It often progresses without symptoms for many years until bones become so fragile that even bending to pick up a newspaper can result in fractures of the spine. In many cases, osteoporosis is not diagnosed until one or several fractures have occurred.

Is bone density scanning with DEXA safe?
Our facility utilizes "Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry" (DEXA) technology which offers an extremely low x-ray dose.

The amount of radiation for a bone density scan using DEXA is only a fraction of that received from a standard chest x-ray. It is comparable to the amount received on a transcontinental flight.

What is VFA (Vertebral Fracture Assessment)?
VFA stands for Vertebral Fracture Assessment and evaluates fractures in the spine. It is a supplemental study to DEXA for patients with significant height loss and osteoporosis. It identifies patients at risk for osteoporosis that may be missed by DEXA alone. It can be conducted during the same visit as DEXA, and can be integrated with DEXA bone density measurement to improve the accuracy of whether or not there is a risk of fracture or a need for therapy.

Are services at Peninsula Ultrasound limited to those who have insurance?
No. Peninsula Ultrasound is contracted with many health insurance carriers. Our office staff is happy to answer any questions you may have. Because we are a private outpatient center we are able to provide our services efficiently, typically at a lower cost than hospital-based centers.

Do I need a physician's referral (Prescription) to have my bone density examination?
A physician’s order is required in order to insure health insuarance coverage for DEXA and VFA.