Everything You Should Know About Getting a Bone Scan

If your doctor has recommended a bone scan, you may have questions about the procedure. This guide will explain how a bone scan is performed, how to prepare for the appointment, and what potential findings may indicate.

While this guide outlines potential findings, your doctor will provide your official diagnosis and next steps during your follow-up appointment. For those who prefer early access, PocketHealth offers secure, instant access as soon as your report is uploaded. This allows you to review your results and prepare questions for your doctor in advance.

 

 

What is a bone scan?

Also known as skeletal scintigraphy, a bone scan is a medical imaging technique used to evaluate and assess bone health. A small amount of radioactive material, called a radiotracer, will be injected into your body. This is also known as nuclear medical imaging. A scanning machine with a gamma camera will capture images of the radiation for analysis. The way the radiotracer is absorbed, distributed or moves within your tissues and bones can provide valuable information about your health.

 

What is a bone scan used for?

Bone scans are used to assess and diagnose various bone conditions, diseases and disorders. Specific purposes include:

• Assessing broken bones: If fractures or breaks are not clearly visible on a traditional X-ray, a bone scan can provide greater detail.
• Detecting cancer: This may involve looking for primary bone cancers or tumors, or checking if other cancers have spread to the bones.
• Evaluating bone damage: Infections and other bone conditions can cause damage, which may be visible on a bone scan.
• Cancer treatment follow-up: A bone scan can help evaluate the effects of cancer treatments on bone health.
• Assessing metabolic disorders: Certain conditions, such as Paget’s disease, osteoporosis, osteomalacia and primary hyperparathyroidism, can affect bone health.
• Identifying the cause of bone pain: Bone pain can result from various factors, including injury, inflammation or bone-related conditions, like arthritis.

 

How is a bone scan performed?

The bone scan appointment consists of two parts. First, you will visit the imaging clinic and receive an injection of the radiotracer in your arm. It may take 2 to 4 hours for the radiotracer to circulate through your body and be absorbed by your bones. As a result, there will be a time gap between the injection and the actual scan. However, some patients may undergo the scan immediately after the injection and again a few hours later.

You will often be asked to drink four to six glasses of water to help flush the excess radiotracer from your body before the scan. You may also be asked to urinate beforehand to ensure a more accurate measurement of the radiotracer in your body.

Some clinics may allow you to leave and return for the second part of your appointment, but this varies by facility.

During the scan, you will lie on the exam table and remain still as the gamma camera slowly moves around your body to capture images. The technician may ask you to change positions occasionally.

After the appointment, you should be able to resume your normal activities. However, many providers recommend drinking additional water to help flush the radiotracer from your system more quickly, as it will pass through your urine and stool. It is also recommended that you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. In some cases, you may be advised to flush the toilet twice after use. These are helpful precautions, but remember that your radiation exposure is low (about the same as having an X-ray) and you are not considered a risk to be around others.

 

How to prepare for a bone scan

Here are some tips to keep in mind when preparing for your bone scan appointment that may help you be better prepared.

Before your appointment

• Let your doctor know if you think you may be pregnant: Typically, nuclear imaging, such as a bone scan, is not recommended for pregnant or nursing patients to avoid exposing the baby to radiation. Some doctors may allow nursing patients to undergo the scan, provided they discard their breast milk for 24 hours following the appointment.
• Review your requisition and instructions: If you were given any documents, order forms or other instructions for your upcoming scan, it’s a good idea to review them again. There may be specific preparations you need to follow before your appointment. Re-reading your instructions helps ensure nothing is overlooked.
• Inform your doctor if you are taking medication containing bismuth: An example of this is Pepto-Bismol. This substance can interfere with imaging results. Similarly, barium should be avoided before the scan for similar reasons.
• If you have a known allergy to the radiotracer: Inform your doctor. They may offer alternatives, such as a different imaging method.

The day of your appointment

• Bring your requisition form: If the imaging clinic does not have it on hand, bringing it yourself can save you time. Also, remember to bring your health card and I.D.
• Wear comfortable clothing: Some clinics may require you to wear a hospital gown during the appointment, while others may allow you to wear regular clothes if they are suitable. Since you may need an I.V., wear something that leaves your arm accessible. Avoid wearing jewelry or metallic items.
• Bring water, if desired: Since it is common to be asked to drink water between the radiotracer injection and the scan, you may want to bring a large water bottle or other preferred water products, such as filtered water. If you do not bring your own, they will likely have water available.
• Bring something to occupy you: Given the interim between the radiotracer administration and the scan, you may want to bring something to keep you entertained, such as a book. Some clinics may allow you to leave and return, depending on the wait time. You can ask in advance and plan accordingly.

 

Getting your results

Here are some common questions patients have regarding their pelvic ultrasound results.

How long does it take to get my bone scan results?

Bone scan result turnaround times depend on the radiologist’s and your referring doctor’s schedules. It can sometimes take a week or more, especially if you receive them at your follow-up appointment.

PocketHealth provides faster access, allowing you to see your results as soon as they’re uploaded by the radiologist, giving you time to review findings and prepare questions. For added support, MyCare Navigator generates questions to ask your doctor based on findings in your report and highlights any follow-up recommendations found in the report.

 

 

Who interprets my results?

Medical imaging is usually interpreted by a specialist called a radiologist, who reviews various scans to help evaluate and diagnose injuries and conditions. This information is then passed to your referring provider, who will incorporate their own assessment. For instance, if you have a history of certain symptoms, they may use that data alongside the imaging to arrive at a more specific diagnosis.

 

Understanding my results

Although your doctor will explain your results to you, accessing your report before your appointment can give you an early preview. When reviewing your report, it’s common to find the medical terminology complex and confusing. PocketHealth Report Reader simplifies this by offering clear, straightforward definitions for medical terms—simply tap or click on any underlined words to reveal their meaning. This guide will briefly discuss some common findings in bone scan reports.

What does an abnormal bone scan look like?

The radiotracer has baseline levels of expected absorption within different tissues and bones, referred to as uptake. In bone scans, “hot” and “cold” spots indicate abnormal results:

• Hot spots: These appear brighter on the scan images, showing an increased amount of radiotracer in an area compared to expected baseline levels. This can also suggest excess blood flow to the bone. Hot spots may indicate conditions such as bone cancer, bone diseases, bone injuries, arthritis or inflammatory conditions like infections.
• Cold spots: These appear darker on the scan images, meaning less radiotracer is collected in an area than expected. This could be due to reduced blood flow to the bone, certain types of cancer, bone infections or other factors.

It is important to remember that specific diagnoses typically require additional testing and imaging, so there is no need to panic. Additionally, some patients may have naturally different rates of tracer uptake than the average baseline. Aging can also affect absorption levels, which may be considered normal. Your doctor will guide you through any recommended next steps if unusual findings are reported.

What does a normal bone scan look like?

If the tracer is evenly distributed or behaves within expected baseline parameters, this is considered a normal result. The absence of “hot” and “cold” spots also indicates normal findings.

 

Frequently asked questions

Here are some commonly asked questions patients have regarding bone scans.

What is the difference between a CT scan and bone scan?

CT scans (computed tomography) are a type of X-ray that creates detailed images of your organs, bones, and other internal structures. In contrast, a bone scan uses a radiotracer to produce more detailed 3D images. The gamma camera detects the radiation from the tracer and captures these images, using radiotracer uptake to further assess bone health. Since each scan provides different views and levels of detail, many providers use both scans together to gain a broader understanding of the patient’s condition.

What is a bone scan used to diagnose?

Though cancer detection and evaluation is a common reason for a bone scan, it is far from the only one. Injuries, inflammation, arthritis, bone diseases, osteoporosis and other conditions can also necessitate this procedure.

What are the side effects of a bone scan?

Bone scans are generally considered safe and low-risk. However, in rare cases, some patients may have an allergic reaction to the radiotracer. If you experience symptoms such as a rash, itching, or feeling unwell after the radiotracer is administered, inform your technician immediately.

How much does a bone scan cost?

A bone scintigraphy can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand, depending on the areas being scanned and the level of detail required in the imaging. Many insurance plans will cover at least part of the cost, but they often have certain prerequisites. Typically, the billing department at your medical provider’s office or the imaging clinic will check your benefits in advance to confirm coverage.

If you’re concerned about costs, contacting your insurance company directly to understand any potential financial responsibility may be helpful. Be sure to ask for the official medical codes, as they are often needed to get an accurate answer. Your doctor’s office should be able to provide you with this information.

Lastly, remember that in this case, a bone scan (skeletal/bone scintigraphy) is a nuclear imaging test. Many clinics also use the term “bone scan” to refer to a DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) test, which measures bone density and assesses osteoporosis risk. While both tests are related to bone health, they are quite different. Be sure to clarify the test type when speaking with your insurance provider, as the costs can vary significantly.

 

Stay on top of your health with PocketHealth

PocketHealth makes it simple to keep track of your medical reports and bone scans. All of your vital imaging is in one protected location and can be accessed anytime. When used in conjunction with your medical provider’s professional advice, it is a powerful tool for organizing and understanding your health’s progress.