Understanding Bone Scans: Reasons, Procedure & What to Expect

A bone scan uses a small amount of radioactive material injected into your body. This material causes bones to emit radiation waves that are detected by a special camera and used to create images. Your doctor may order a bone scan for a variety of reasons.

Fractures

• Your doctor may order a bone scan if she suspects a subtle or hidden bone fracture, such as a stress fracture, that doesn't appear on an X-ray. Bone scans can also help determine the age of fractures.

Infections

• A bone scan can detect bone infections (osteomyelitis).

Bone Disorders

• A bone scan is useful for diagnosing bone disorders, such as osteomalacia (rickets), fibrous dysplasia, avascular necrosis, arthritis or Paget's disease (chronic inflammation of the bones).

Unexplained Bone Pain

• If you have unexplained bone pain, your doctor may order a bone scan.

Cancer

• Another purpose of bone scans is to detect bone cancer or to detect the spread of other cancers to the bones. Cancer cells appear as hot spots on a bone scan.