About DEXA Scan
Key Highlights
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Gold standard for accurate and precise measurement of bone mineral density (BMD).Quick, painless, and completely non-invasive procedure with no needles or injections.Uses very low radiation dose, significantly less than a standard chest X-ray.Provides critical data (T-score and Z-score) for diagnosing osteoporosis and osteopenia.Essential for assessing an individual's risk of future fractures, particularly in the hip and spine.Enables effective monitoring of bone density changes over time to evaluate treatment response./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Women aged 65 and older and men aged 70 and older (routine screening).
- Postmenopausal women under 65 with risk factors (e.g., family history, low body weight, smoking).
- Individuals with a history of fragility fractures (fractures from minor trauma).
- Patients on long-term corticosteroid therapy (e.g., for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis).
- Presence of conditions associated with bone loss (hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease).
- Monitoring the effectiveness of osteoporosis drug therapy (usually every 1-2 years).
- Unexplained back pain, height loss, or spinal deformity suggesting vertebral fracture.
How to prepare
- Inform your doctor and the radiologist if you are pregnant or suspect you might be.
- Do not take calcium supplements for at least 24 hours before the scan.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing without metal zippers, buttons, or belts.
- You may be asked to change into a hospital gown and remove jewelry, eyeglasses, or any metal objects.
- You can eat and drink normally before the test; no fasting is required.
- Inform the technologist if you have had a recent barium study or contrast injection for a CT scan or MRI, as this may interfere with results.
Risks & possible complications
- Radiation exposure is extremely low (less than a day of natural background radiation) and considered very safe.
- There is a minimal risk of inaccurate results if the scan is not performed correctly or if there are artifacts (e.g., from metal implants, severe arthritis).
- Very rare risk of anxiety or claustrophobia, though the scanner is open and the test is brief.
- No known risks of allergic reactions or side effects from the procedure itself.
Recovery & hospital stay
- There is no recovery time or downtime; you can resume all normal activities immediately after the scan.
- No special post-procedure care is needed.
- The radiologist will analyze the images and send a detailed report to your referring doctor, typically within a few days.
- Your doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss the results, your T-score, and any recommended treatment or lifestyle changes.
- If osteoporosis is diagnosed, a management plan including medication, diet (calcium/vitamin D), and weight-bearing exercise will be discussed.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient procedure)
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Expected recovery time: 0 days (immediate)
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering dexa scan in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with radiology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform dexa scan. MediFyr helps you compare radiologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for dexa scan compare across other countries where we have data.
Reyansh Sharma, a 68-year-old retired school...
Reyansh Sharma, a 68-year-old retired school principal, had always been active but noticed increasing back pain over the past two years. A gentle, scholarly man, he had a family history of osteoporosis, his mother suffered a debilitating hip fracture in her seventies. His primary care physician, noting Reyansh's slight stature and chronic lower back discomfort, recommended a DEXA scan to assess his bone mineral density. Reyansh felt a quiet anxiety about the test, fearing it would confirm a decline he associated with frailty and loss of independence. The procedure itself was quick and painless; the radiologist's technician was reassuring, explaining each step as Reyansh lay still on the padded table. The results revealed osteopenia, the precursor to osteoporosis. While initially disheartened, this diagnosis became a catalyst. With a treatment plan of dietary changes, vitamin D supplements, and weight-bearing exercise, Reyansh felt empowered. His emotional journey shifted from fear of fragility to a determined focus on prevention. The scan gave him a clear baseline and a goal: to maintain his strength and active retirement.
Radiologists for DEXA Scan
Explore experienced radiologists who regularly perform dexa scan and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 33 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 45 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 35 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 34 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 34 Years Experience
- Radiologist
- 31 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 27 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 25 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 21 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Hyderabad
- 20 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 20 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 19 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 19 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 18 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 18 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 18 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 18 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 14 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada
- 11 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 11 Years Experience
- Radiologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida