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Medical > MSK (M) > DEXA Scanning


DEXA Scanning

  

A DEXA scan is a special type of X-ray that measures bone mineral density (BMD).

Reviewed on : 11 Mar 2021

Reviewed by : GP Gateway Editor

Expires : 11 Mar 2023

Contractual Update:

Global Diagnostics no longer perform DEXA scanning at City of Coventry Health Centre since 19th January 2021. 

When to assess a person depending on age and sex

(Osteoporosis: assessing the risk of fragility fracture 2012 NICE guideline CG146)

Women aged 65 and over, and men aged 75 and over

Consider assessment of fracture risk in all women aged 65 years and over and all men aged 75 years and over

Women aged 50 to 64, and men aged 50 to 74
Consider assessment of fracture risk in women aged under 65 years and men aged under 75 years in the presence of risk factors, for example:
  • Previous fragility fracture
  • Current use or frequent recent use of oral or systemic glucocorticoids
  • History of falls
  • Family history of hip fracture
  • Other causes of secondary osteoporosis
  • Low BMI (less than 18.5 kg/m2)
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol intake of more than 14 units per week for women and more than 21 units per week for men.
Under 50
Do not routinely assess fracture risk in people aged under 50 years because they are unlikely to be at high risk unless they have:
  • Major risk factors
  • Current or frequent recent use of oral or systemic glucocorticoids
  • Untreated premature menopause
  • Previous fragility fracture
Under 40
Measure Bone Mineral Density (BMD) to assess fracture risk in people aged under 40 years who have a major risk factor:
  • History of multiple fragility fracture
  • Major osteoporotic fracture
  • Current or recent use of high-dose oral or high-dose systemic glucocorticoids (more than 7.5 mg prednisolone or equivalent per day for 3 months or longer).

Frax Tool

For the FRAX tool to calculate the ten year possibility of fracture, click link in right panel.

You can include the Bone Mineral Density (BMD) score, if known. Rugby and Coventry both use  Hologic scanners.

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Coventry Guidance  

Contractual Update 16 October 2020:

Global Diagnostics no longer perform DEXA scanning at City of Coventry Health Centre (since 19th January 2021)

Rugby & South Warwickshire Guidance  

Please see below for information about DEXA scanning at St Cross Hospital, Rugby:

Please see right panel for the Rugby DEXA referrals forms.

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