Does a bone density test usually hurt?

No: The best bone density test, called dxa, does not use any needles. A person lies on a table and a very small dose of radiation passes through the lower spine and hip to measure bone density. It is painless.

No: A bone denisty should not hurt simply by the test. A patient lies on the back and legs are put in certain positions to get measurements of the hips. If a patient has a bad back or hip, pain could occur. The test only takes a couple of minutes and requires no needles for example. Again the test itself is not painful.

Not at all.: It is simple and painless.