Before Your Scan

• When you arrive, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, so bring your reading glasses if you need them. You will need to provide insurance information, the name of your referring doctor or primary care physician, and a list medications you are taking. You will also be asked to provide personal information, which may include age of onset and cessation of menstruation, your maximum height, and any family history of osteoporosis, fracture or rheumatoid arthritis. Your answers will help determine your risks for osteoporosis and need for treatment
• As certain clothing with zippers, buttons, hooks or clasps can interfere with the accuracy of your scan, you may be asked to change into a gown. We recommend wearing light cotton clothing with none of the listed components.
• Bone density tests should not be scheduled within two weeks after any barium contrast imaging and one week after a nuclear medicine study has been performed.
• You should avoid taking calcium supplements the night before or morning of your DEXA scan.
• Our DEXA scanner table is at a fixed height, and if you believe you may have difficulty transferring to the table, please let scheduling know so accommodations can be made ahead of time. This would require 24 hours notice to accommodate.

What to Expect

• The scan takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes and uses extremely low-dose X-ray, though we ask that you allow 45 minutes for the entire process.
• DEXA scans are performed with patients lying flat on their backs while an arm attachment scans over the spine and hip. Positioning of the legs is minimal and very tolerable.

We value your opinion. After your visit, please take a few minutes to fill out our online survey so we can continue to give you the highest quality care

To schedule a physician consultation with one of our rheumatologists, please call (312) 563-2266 and fill out this new patient packet.