People today are aware of what osteoporosis typically looks like. We think of a woman who has gotten shorter as she gets older and her back rounded over and at risk of a fractured hip.

Bone density is measured with DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) a very low-dose x-ray usually of the hip and lower spine. These special x-rays help provide an accurate picture of a person’s risk of fracture or the need of treatment. The importance of this exam is its ability to demonstrate bone loss at a very early stage so that it can be treated before symptoms or physical changes occur.