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Bone Scan Instructions

Bone scanning is a branch of nuclear medicine, and a bone scan takes pictures of your bones with special cameras that use gamma rays. The pictures help orthopedic surgeons analyze internal bone problems, and cancers are also detected with the help of a bone scan. Other conditions, such as the causes of back pain, for example, are also easy to diagnose with a bone scan. Finally, a bone scan can help an expert get an idea of the state of degeneration or injury of the bones if you suffer from diseases such as Paget's disease or arthritis.

  1. Administering a Bone Scan

    • When a bone scan is administered, a radioactive tracer, which is usually a radionuclide or radioisotope, is injected into a vein in your arm. This substance is absorbed into the body by the tissues being scanned, and is later excreted through the feces or urine. This tracer shows the "activity" in the affected part.

      After the radioactive tracer is injected, it takes from two to four hours for the tracer to be absorbed before the scan can be performed. During this time, drink a lot of fluids, as increased hydration can help provide a better picture in the scan. Once the tracer is absorbed, you will lie on your back. The machine will hover over you as it scans for radiation left by the tracer, and takes pictures of the bones. You may be asked to shift positions, depending upon what the scan is looking for.

    What to Expect

    • A bone scan is an outpatient laboratory test. You usually do not need to fast before a bone scan or do anything else special to prepare, unless your doctor directs you otherwise. You may need to remove your clothing and jewelry during the procedure. You will not feel any pain during the procedure, but may not be able to drive yourself home afterward, due to potential side effects from injecting the tracer.

    Possible Side Effects

    • In most bone scans, there are almost no side effects. However, in some patients with a low tolerance to radioactive substances, bone scans can cause giddiness, nausea and vomiting. The duration of these effects is usually very short. Because a scan is done in a medical center, immediate help for side effects is available. Pregnant women are advised to consult a specialist in both radiology and gynecology before undergoing a bone scan to ensure that there will be no complications.

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