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Bone Scan

A bone scan is a nuclear medicine exam that evaluates your bones to detect arthritis, osteoporosis, a fracture, sports injuries, bone abnormalities as a result of cancer and possible infection of soft tissue or bone.

What to Bring

  • Your medical provider order (your medical provider may have already sent this to us)
  • Personal ID
  • Insurance card

How to Prepare

  • There is no special preparation for this exam.
  • You may eat and drink the morning of the test.
  • Please wear comfortable clothing with no metal, and please leave valuable jewelry at home.
  • If you suspect you might be pregnant, please inform the imaging technologist.
  • If you wear an on-body device (insulin pump, insulin regulators, Neulasta, other chemo/insulin devices, etc.), you must inform the imaging technologist.

What to Expect

  • The imaging technologist will explain the test and answer any questions you may have.
  • You will be given a small amount of radioactive tracer (the imaging agent) in your vein. There are no side effects to the injection.
  • If your medical provider is looking for certain types of fractures or infections, you may have a quick picture taken at this time.
  • Your technologist will ask you to drink plenty of fluids (24-32 ounces) after the injection. This allows the radioactive tracer to be “cleared out of your soft tissues” and gives us a clearer image of the bones.
  • You will be instructed to return for the actual imaging 3-4 hours later, following the initial injection.
  • During the imaging portion, you will be lying down on a cushioned table for approximately 30-45 minutes depending on the extent of the test.
  • If only a small area of your body is to be imaged, it might only take 15-30 minutes.

After the Exam

  • There are no special instructions to follow after your examination.
  • Your study will be reviewed by a radiologist, and the results sent to your medical provider. Your medical provider will discuss the results with you.

Schedule an Appointment

Call North Oaks Patient Scheduling at (985) 230-7777 between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

If you are a provider and need to send an order, please fax it to (985) 230-6781.

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