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Mobile Bone Mineral Densitometry

A mobile unit offers convenient osteoporosis screening for suitable patients.

Mobile Bone Mineral Densitometry (BMD)

The National Healthcare Group Diagnostics’ Mobile Bone Mineral Densitometry (BMD) provides accessible and affordable osteoporosis screening.

The mobile BMD is built from a nine-metre (30-foot) container and the trailer is designed to provide a comfortable venue for the patient. It is equipped with a best-in-class dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) technology unit, which takes bone scans of both the lower spine and hip to gauge bone mineral density.

Spine and Hip Bone Mineral Densitometry is the gold standard for the assessment of bone mineral and susceptibility to fracture. It is a simple test that measures bone calcium content to help detect early loss of bone mass. The Ministry of Health has recommended that this bone density test be offered to high-risk women. The test is also necessary in order for clinicians to prescribe follow-up treatment for osteoporosis. The patient is required to present a doctor's referral letter before the screening.

Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

You are likely to develop osteoporosis if you:

Are 65 years old and above with a family history of osteoporosis
Are thin, small-framed, or very underweight
Are a woman who has had an early menopause or has had her ovaries removed before the age of 45
Have poor nutrition and/or an inadequate calcium intake
Do not exercise regularly
Smoke
Have excessive alcohol intake
Are under steroids for an extended period of time i.e. more than three months

What to Expect

No fasting is required for the test. However, it should not be performed within 72 hours of a nuclear bone scan or within a week of a barium study (barium meal, small bowel barium follow-through or barium enema).You should not take calcium supplements on the day of the examination.

You will need to bring any previous X-rays to the examination as these may help in the interpretation of results.

There will be a lifestyle survey to complete before the test. A coordinator at the Mobile BMD conducts an interview with the patient before proceeding to the BMD.

During the procedure patients lie on their back on a padded table. A narrow "arm" passes over them during the test. The whole process takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

For more information to engage our Mobile BMD services, please visit BMD @ NHGD.

For Mobile BMD's locations, please visit: Mammobus/ Mobile BMD schedule

For FAQs on osteoporosis screening, click here.

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This article was last reviewed on Wednesday, November 22, 2023