Bone Scan

Bone Scan: Definition, Purpose, Risks, and Procedures

What is a Bone Scan?

A "bone scan" is the name for two different kinds of medical tests that are very different. One type of bone scan is used to test for and diagnose osteoporosis, which is a condition in which the bones are brittle, very fragile and break easily. This test uses either ultrasound or special x-ray beams to check the density of the bone or to see how solid it is. This test is very quick, lasting only a few minutes, and there are no side-effects. No special preparation is required before the test.

The other type of bone scan identifies the presence of unusual active formation of bone. It is often used to detect arthritis, cancer or infection, or to see precisely where stress fractures have occurred. Approximately three hours prior to the scan an intravenous (IV) line will be placed in your arm and a liquid called technetium will be injected into your body through it. Technetium is a substance that is naturally found in your own body. Your body uses it to form new bone. It is mildly radioactive. After the bones have had enough time to absorb the technetium, about three hours after the injection, you will lie on an examination table and a special camera will spend the next 30 to 90 minutes taking an image of your body. The areas where a bone is growing abnormally will show up brighter than other areas of your skeleton on the image.

Purpose of Bone Scans

A bone scan is done to:

- Discover bone tumor or decide if disease from another range, for example, the bosom, lung, kidney, thyroid organ camera.gif, or prostate organ camera.gif, has spread (metastasized) camera.gif deep down.

- Help analyze the reason or area of unexplained bone agony, for example, continuous low back torment. A bone output might be done first to help decide the area of an anomalous bone in complex bone structures, for example, the foot or spine. Follow-up assessment at that point might be finished with a figured tomography (CT) examine or attractive reverberation imaging (MRI).

- Help analyze broken bones, for example, a hip break or an anxiety crack, not plainly observed on X-beam.

- Discover harm to the bones caused by contamination or different conditions, for example, Paget's infection.

Preparing for a Bone Scan

For the most part, you needn't bother with uncommon arrangements previously a bone scan. For instance, you can eat and drink typically before your arrangement. Enlighten your specialist regarding all prescriptions you take. Drugs that contain barium or bismuth can influence the test outcomes. Thus, your specialist may suggest not taking them before your output.

Likewise, say if that you have any medication hypersensitivities or other restorative conditions. Ladies should tell their specialists on the off chance that they are breastfeeding or if there is any possibility they are pregnant. Furthermore, check with your protection supplier ahead of time. Discover the amount of the cost of the test will be secured and the amount you should pay. When you land for your scan, you will be made a request to sign an assent shape. The frame expresses that you comprehend the advantages and dangers of the bone output and consent to have the test. Chat with your specialist about any worries you have about the bone output. Prior to the test, you will expel gems and some other metal articles. You may likewise need to change into a healing facility outfit.

Bone Scan Procedure

A bone scan is generally done by a medical technologist. The scan pictures are generally deciphered by a radiologist or atomic drug authority.

- You should evacuate any gems that may impede the scan. You may need to remove all or the vast majority of your garments. You will be given a material or paper covering to use amid the test.

- Your arm will be cleaned where the tracer will be infused. A little measure of the tracer is infused.

- It takes around 2 to 5 hours for the tracer to tie to your bone so pictures can be brought with an extraordinary camera. Amid this time, you might be made a request to drink 4 to 6 glasses of water so your body can wash out the tracer that does not gather in your bones. Just before the scan starts, you will most likely be made a request to exhaust your bladder to keep any radioactive pee from obstructing the perspective of your pelvic bones amid the scan.

- You will lie on a table, with a substantial filtering camera above you. It might move gradually above, underneath, and around your body, examining for radiation discharged by the tracer and creating pictures. The camera does not deliver any radiation.

- You might be made a request to move into various positions. You have to lie as yet amid each scan to abstain from obscuring the photos.

A bone scan takes around 60 minutes.

You might also want to read:

- Burns

- Bone Cancer

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Questions & Answers

What is the best way to treat permanent back and neck pain and stiffness?

Age2B

Here are some tips:

Neck Pain Tips: Sleep with a cervical pillow

Orthopedic or cervical pillows are made with special contours to support the space beneath the neck and head. They are also more concave for the head and provide more support to the neck.

Neck Pain Tips: Sleep on your back

The best position to lie to sleep is on your back. If you sleep on your stomach or on your side, make sure your pillow is not too thick. It should raise your head no more than 4 to 6 inches. This will keep your neck and head from turning to either side.

Neck Pain Tips: Position your computer screen at eye level

While you are working at a computer, sit comfortably in your chair with your computer in front of you. Close your eyes and then open them. When you open your eyes, you should see the middle of the computer screen. If your gaze is not in the middle of the screen, adjust the height of the screen using items like books.

To keep your head from gradually drifting forward, take frequent breaks to stretch. Getting up to walk around at least once every half-hour is one of the best neck pain tips.

Neck Pain Tips: Use a telephone headset

Never hold a phone between your shoulder and your ear. Use a headset or other hands-free system to talk on the phone and avoid abusing your neck and spine.

Neck Pain Tips: Exercise your neck muscles

One of the best neck pain tips is using the chin tuck. You can do this often throughout the day. In addition to helping strengthen the muscles that hold the head in alignment over the shoulders, it also helps strengthen the scalene and sub-occipital muscles.

Age2B

4 answers

What is the best treatment for neck pain and shoulder Pain?

Age2B

One of the best treatment for neck pain and shoulder pain is exercises:

Neck Pain Exercises: Neck Extension

To begin this neck pain exercise, sit up straight in a chair with your feet flat on the floor.
Looking straight ahead, tuck your chin slightly (starting position)
Place the palm of your hand on the back of your neck, at the base of your head
Apply slight forward pressure with your hand, while resisting the forward motion of your neck and head
Hold for a count of 5 and return to the starting position and relax
Repeat the neck pain exercises 5-10 times

Neck pain exercises: Side bend

Sit up straight in a chair with your feet flat on the floor.
Looking straight ahead, tuck your chin slightly (starting position)
Place your left hand, palm down, on the left side of your head (around your ear)
Slightly push your head to the right side with your hand, while resisting the sideways motion of your neck and head
Hold for a count of 5 and return to the starting position and relax.
Repeat 5-10 times
Repeat the neck pain exercises with the other side.

Neck pain exercises: Neck flexion

Sit up straight in a chair with your feet flat on the floor.
Looking straight ahead, tuck your chin slightly (starting position)
Place the tips of your fingers on your forehead
Slightly push your head backward with your fingers, while resisting the backward motion of your neck and head
Hold for a count of 5 and return to the starting position and relax.
Repeat the neck pain exercises 5-10 times

More exercises here: Neck Pain Exercises

Age2B

4 answers

How do I reduce the shoulder and neck pain?

Age2B

Here are some tips:

Neck Pain Tips: Sleep with a cervical pillow

Orthopedic or cervical pillows are made with special contours to support the space beneath the neck and head. They are also more concave for the head and provide more support to the neck.

Neck Pain Tips: Sleep on your back

Neck Pain Tips: Position your computer screen at eye level

To keep your head from gradually drifting forward, take frequent breaks to stretch. Getting up to walk around at least once every half-hour is one of the best neck pain tips.

Neck Pain Tips: Carry weight evenly

Many people make the mistake of carrying a heavy briefcase or their purse on their shoulder or on one side of their body. Doing this causes strain in the muscles and leads to pain.

Remove non-essentials from your briefcase or purse. Consider using a backpack to evenly distribute the weight across your shoulders. If you choose to carry a purse or backpack, keep your shoulders level while carrying it.

Neck Pain Tips: Maintain a proper posture

The most common posture contributing to neck pain is the “head-and-shoulders-forward” posture. In this position, the neck slopes forward, putting the head in front of the shoulders.

In this position, the head pulls the upper back forward also in a slumped position. This places a strain on the entire spinal column.

More tips here: Neck Pain Tips: Sleeping, Posture, Exercising, Hydration & Prevention

Age2B

4 answers