The New Modern Day Ultrasound Bone Density and Fragility Test
XBody Health & Wellness Integrative Functional Medicine Office has the most advanced innovative FDA approved tool Echolight REMS enabling us to do an earlier diagnosis of Osteoporosis and to predict risk of fracture in the next 5 years. This new technology is based on the combination of two direct measurements REMS T- SCORE and REMS FRAGILITY SCORE.
Echolight is a modern ultrasound device capable of measuring bone at the hip and the spine. New Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) device is an effective Radiation-Free quick test to assess bone density to evaluate bone strength and fracture risk.
We have known for a long time that many errors can occur using the standard DEXA bone density testing X-Rays machines. The DEXA is operator dependent and placement on the device is an important variable. Even more important is the fact that bone density testing by DEXA does not accurately predict fracture risk. The vast majority of people who had fractures did not show an “osteoporotic bone density” by DEXA. .
The new ultrasound will replace DEXA. It has the potential to provide a safer and even more accurate way to assess bone density and perhaps it might even tell us more about bone strength and fracture risk.
What you need to know about bone density
Bone density, or bone mineral density, constitutes an important part of your overall health. Your bone density increases until you reach your late 20s, at which point you’ve reached your peak bone mass. As you age from that point on, your bone density either remains the same or slowly declines.
Many people experience severe bone density loss as they reach middle age, especially women who have gone through menopause. Low bone density makes you more susceptible to bone fractures, as well as the degenerative bone disease called osteoporosis.
Keeping tabs on your bone mineral density helps you reduce your risk of bone-related health complications — you can keep track of regular bone density scans, Echolight in particular.
Echolight Ultrasound vs. DEXA scans
DEXA (sometimes also written as DXA) has long been considered the gold standard in bone densitometry, but Echolight systems are set to take the throne because of their radiation-free technology. No precertification or authorization required and the test takes only 1.5 minutes.
DEXA stands for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, a technology that emits small doses of ionizing radiation to capture images of your body. It’s simple and non-invasive but subject to error. For example, if you happen to lie differently during one DEXA scan compared to the last, your results may be skewed. If you move during the scan, your images may come out blurry.
Because DEXA scans use radiation, you should thoroughly discuss the risks and benefits with your provider before opting for a DEXA scan. If you’re pregnant, for example, you may be advised to avoid the test.
Echolight, on the other hand, minimizes the probability of error because it exclusively analyzes the interactions of ultrasound waves with your bone tissue. This system won’t provide faulty images because, if the result isn’t of acceptable quality, the system asks us to retake the image.
Additionally, new Ultrasound doesn’t require you to be as still or as particularly positioned as you must be with a DEXA scan, because the new Ultrasound system doesn’t pick up on movement as the DEXA does.
Perhaps the most profound benefit is that Echolight provides an accurate, non-invasive bone density scan without radiation, with bone quality assessments meaning that it’s safe to take anew scan at regular intervals. This can help you keep track of your bone mineral density and get the care you need when you need it.
To learn more about the new Bone density system, schedule a consultation with your Xbody Health & Wellness provider. Call 973-692-9780 or contact us online for an appointment at our Wayne, New Jersey, office.
For more information and for our bone density and fragility sample report, please go to our website.
