Bone Scans and Muscle Inflammation: What You Need to Know

A bone scan, also called a bone scintigraphy, is a medical imaging technique used to evaluate bone health. Although muscles may be visible in a bone scan due to their proximity to the bones, it is primarily designed to detect abnormalities in the bone structure, such as fractures, bone metastases, or bone infections. It is not routinely used for evaluating muscle inflammation or injuries.

Inflammation of the muscles, commonly referred to as myositis, is not directly visualized on a bone scan. Instead, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, or other imaging modalities specific to soft tissue are typically used to assess muscle inflammation and other related conditions. These imaging techniques provide better visualization and diagnostic capabilities for muscular issues compared to bone scans.