Medical Imaging

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Bone Mineral Densitometry

Grand River Hospital's medical imaging department offers the latest in state-of-the-art technology to diagnose bone density. Bone Mineral Densitometry (BMD) testing is not only beneficial in diagnosing Osteoporosis, it can help identify those at risk for developing the disease.

The bone density test is quick, simple, painless and non-invasive. It uses a very small amount of radiation, about 1/10th of that used for a PA chest x-ray.

Bone densitometry tests can be booked by your family physician or specialist between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. currently on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The BMD test will be performed by a technologist certified by the International Society of Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) and the Canadian Society of Clinical Bone Densitometry (CSC).

Preparation for a BMD test:

• Please do not take a calcium pill on the day of the bone density test.
• Wait one week after any barium, CT scan, IVP or nuclear medicine test to have your BMD study.
• Avoid clothing with zippers, metal or plastic buttons and belts. Sweat pants and top are excellent.
• If you have had a previous BMD test elsewhere, please ensure we have a copy of your BMD report to compare the studies for you.
• We do not do BMD studies if you are pregnant or suspect you might be pregnant

Please allow 30 minutes for this test in the medical imaging department.

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become weak and brittle, usually without any telling symptoms. The disease affects one in four women and one in eight men over the age of 50 - approximately 1.4 million Canadians. The good news about osteoporosis is that it is preventable for most people. A BMD test can help identify those at risk of developing Osteoporosis.