What is a common consideration before performing a DXA scan of the proximal femur?

What is a common consideration before performing a DXA scan of the proximal femur?

• A. A history of arthritis
• B. Recent hip surgery
• C. A history of fracture and previous polio
• D. Muscle wasting

Answer: (C)

Before performing a DXA scan of the proximal femur, one of the most common considerations is a history of fracture, especially if there has been a history of polio. This is important because historical fractures can indicate areas of previous stress or weakness in the bone, affecting the interpretation of the bone density results. Additionally, conditions like polio can lead to muscle weakness and postural deficits, which may impact the positioning of the patient during the scan or could lead to altered loading patterns on the bone, ultimately influencing bone density measurements. In the context of preparing for a DXA scan, it is vital to consider any past medical history that may affect bone health and integrity, as this can help in risk assessment for osteoporosis or fracture potential. This background provides a clearer understanding for identifying any necessary modifications to the scanning procedure or for contextualizing the results.

Before performing a DXA scan of the proximal femur, one of the most common considerations is a history of fracture, especially if there has been a history of polio. This is important because historical fractures can indicate areas of previous stress or weakness in the bone, affecting the interpretation of the bone density results. Additionally, conditions like polio can lead to muscle weakness and postural deficits, which may impact the positioning of the patient during the scan or could lead to altered loading patterns on the bone, ultimately influencing bone density measurements.

In the context of preparing for a DXA scan, it is vital to consider any past medical history that may affect bone health and integrity, as this can help in risk assessment for osteoporosis or fracture potential. This background provides a clearer understanding for identifying any necessary modifications to the scanning procedure or for contextualizing the results.