Question 1

what is a bone scan used for by an arthritis specialist?

Accepted Answer

Bone density : A DEXA bone scan is one type of bone scan often used to check bone density. Inflammation in joints can cause some decreased bone density--so it can indicate evidence of long term uncontrolled inflammation. Also, some meds like Prednisone if taken for more than a few months depending on the dose, can cause loss of bone density. Various medical and dietary measures can help treat this.

Question 2

how does an arthritis specfialist use a bone scan?

Accepted Answer

Diagnosis: A bones scan is used to diagnose and monitor diseases of the bone. It can help diagnose unexplained bone pain from bone loss, infection, or injury. It can also be used to detect cancer ty sitehat has spread from another primary site, such as breast cancer.

Question 3

i have rheumatoid arthritis, diagnosed 2010 and take a couple of meds. had a bone scan recently and appears to be normal, no sign of ra. i'm confused what does this means? is this supposed to mean that i don't have ra? i suffer from a lot of pain

Accepted Answer

Rheumatoid arthritis: A primary doctor, or a rheumatologist, can examine you and determine whether or not you have arthritis.  Even if you do not have arthritis, you may still have severe joint pain due to other musculoskeletal diseases which can be treated.

Question 4

my wbc is 3. i have bilater bone pain in almost all my joints. does that warrant a bone scan. could arthritis affect all the joints at once?

Accepted Answer

Sounds like: a difficult problem.  diffuse joint pain could mean a lot of things, such as occult infection, inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, drug side effect, kidney or liver disease, etc.  It is best to get to a doctor as soon as possible.,

Question 5

4 steroid injections;arthritis in facet joints by pain dr no relief until today , 2 weeks later. went to my ortho ysterdy he wants bone scan terrified?

Accepted Answer

Get the scan: There is always more fear about the unknown  versus the known. Tell your doctor that you are terrified. I doubt there is a real reason to be terrified. I suppose you are afraid of what the scan will show, but a bone scan can also show other structural problem that could be causing your pain. Get the scan.

Question 6

bone scan showed increased vascularity in pelvis. could this be arthritis in my lumbar spine?

Accepted Answer

Are you: referring to the vascular phase of a 3 phase bone scan?  Lumbar spine pathology would localize to the lumbar spine on the bone scan, not the pelvis.

Question 7

going for a bone scan. ct showed 2 tiny sclerotia lesions on spine. with history of breast cancer. does scan show cancer and/or arthritis? does it know the difference?

Accepted Answer

A good test: Bone scans are used in patients with localized bone pain or an elevated alkaline phosphatase (a blood test) to rule out breast cancer localized in the bone. The test is good in differentiating malignant (i.e. cancer) vs. benign conditions (i.e. arthritis). If the bone scan is negative and clinical suspicion warrants further evaluation, MRI could be performed, too.

Question 8

what is a bone scan used for?

Accepted Answer

Cancer or pain: Usually in adults it is used to detect metastatic cancer. It also is frequently used to evaluate for possible stress fractures and other bone problems.

Question 9

how can i convert bone scan t-scores to z-scores?

Accepted Answer

DEXA scores: You should not have to convert t scores to z scores when you receive your DEXA results, which report your bone density.  They are statistical terms that tell you where your one density is relative to age-matchednnormal data. Both values are given with the result.

Question 10

how do they do a bone scan on knees?

Accepted Answer

Painless: Radioactive tracer injected in vein.  Small needle stick.  Return a few hours later and stand in front of scanning machine for a few minutes.  Bones are scanned while you stand.

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Doctor answers about:

Bone scan for arthritis

A member asked:

What is a bone scan used for by an arthritis specialist?

A member asked:

How does an arthritis specfialist use a bone scan?

A member asked:

I have rheumatoid arthritis, diagnosed 2010 and take a couple of meds. had a bone scan recently and appears to be normal, no sign of ra. i'm confused what does this means? is this supposed to mean that i don't have ra? i suffer from a lot of pain

A member asked:

My wbc is 3. i have bilater bone pain in almost all my joints. does that warrant a bone scan. could arthritis affect all the joints at once?

A member asked:

4 steroid injections;arthritis in facet joints by pain dr no relief until today , 2 weeks later. went to my ortho ysterdy he wants bone scan terrified?

A member asked:

Bone scan showed increased vascularity in pelvis. could this be arthritis in my lumbar spine?

A member asked:

Going for a bone scan. ct showed 2 tiny sclerotia lesions on spine. with history of breast cancer. does scan show cancer and/or arthritis? does it know the difference?

A member asked:

What is a bone scan used for?

A member asked:

How can i convert bone scan t-scores to z-scores?

A member asked:

How do they do a bone scan on knees?

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