Memorial Medical Center - San Augustine Installs Imaging Equipment Used to Detect Osteoporosis

Bone density scanning – a tool used to measure bone loss – is today’s established standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD).  Memorial Medical Center – San Augustine recently installed a bone density scanner so local residents can have their bone health checked close to home.

 The newly installed scanner, used for bone mineral density testing also known as bone densitometry or duel-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), is used to measure how much bone is present.  A physician uses this test to detect osteoporosis and predict the risk of bone fractures. 

 “With the installation of the scanner at the hospital, patients will be able to get all of their imaging needs met in one place,” said Darlene Williams, Administrator for Memorial Medical Center – San Augustine.  “One out of every 2 women and 1 in 4 men will have an osteoporosis related fracture in their lifetime.  MMC-San Augustine is proud to offer bone density scanning as part of their health screening tools.”

 While a bone density scanner is most often used to diagnose osteoporosis, it can also be effective in tracking the effects of treatment for osteoporosis and other conditions that cause bone loss.  An individual’s risk for developing fractures can also be determined by using this type of imaging equipment. 

 For more information on services provided by Memorial Medical Center – San Augustine visit www.MemorialMedicalCenter-SanAugustine.org.