What Can I Expect During a Bone Scan and How Does It Work?

An estimated 619 million people worldwide live with persistent lower back pain. If you’re one of them, you know how physically and emotionally draining it can be. You also know that the medical community often struggles to pinpoint the problem.

Many frustrated back pain patients nationwide seek answers and life-changing treatment from McNulty Spine in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada.

Double board-certified Patrick McNulty, MD, FABSS, FABOS, a leading, award-winning orthopedic spine specialist, uses the most advanced technology to diagnose and treat complex spinal conditions. Here, he explains what a bone scan entails, how it diagnoses spinal issues, and what you can expect during the procedure.

Bone scan basics

A bone scan is an imaging test Dr. McNulty uses to diagnose and monitor various bone disorders. 

Unlike standard X-rays, which primarily show the structure of bones, bone scans provide a functional view. They can even detect abnormalities in bone metabolism, revealing areas of increased or decreased bone activity, issues that regular X-rays don’t show.

Who needs a bone scan?

If you’re dealing with chronic lower back pain, Dr. McNulty might suggest a bone scan to pinpoint the underlying cause.

For example, conditions like kyphosis, which is an exaggerated forward rounding of the spine stemming from fractures, and other degenerative spinal issues may not always be apparent through initial assessments or other imaging techniques. 

Here’s how a bone scan can help:

Detecting fractures

A bone scan identifies small fractures or stress fractures that aren’t visible on X-rays.

Pinpointing infections

Bone scans can reveal infections or inflammations in the bones or joints.

Identifying tumors

Both benign and malignant spine tumors may appear in a bone scan.

Assessing metabolic disorders

A bone scan can help us better understand what’s happening internally with conditions affecting your bone metabolism, such as osteoporosis.

The bone scan procedure: Step-by-step

Bone scans are quick, noninvasive, and painless — here’s what to expect.

Preparation

Before the scan, we inject a small amount of radioactive material called a tracer. Don’t worry — it’s safe, and the radiation exposure is minimal, comparable to a standard X-ray. Your bones absorb the tracer over a few hours, highlighting areas of abnormal bone activity.

During the scan

When you arrive for the scan, you lie on a table while a gamma camera captures images of your bones. The scan itself is painless and typically takes about 30-60 minutes. You’ll need to stay still to ensure clear images.

After the scan

Once the scan is complete, you can go about your day normally. The radioactive material naturally exits your body through urine or stool over the next few days. 

Dr. McNulty reviews the images and discusses the results with you during a follow-up appointment.

What do the results mean?

The results from your bone scan provide Dr. McNulty with valuable insights into your back pain. 

Areas where the tracer has accumulated in higher concentrations, known as “hot spots,” indicate increased bone activity, possibly due to inflammation, infection, or tumors. 

On the other hand, “cold spots” with lower tracer uptake might suggest a lack of blood supply or certain types of cancer.

Depending on the findings, Dr. McNulty may recommend additional tests or treatments, like further imaging studies or blood tests. 

If you need surgical intervention to address the underlying cause of your pain, you’re in good hands. Dr. McNulty is known for his expertise in both traditional and minimally invasive surgical techniques. 

Getting a bone scan is an easy and painless way to check the details of your bone health. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call McNulty Spine or use our online booking tool.