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N.B. Please always bring your health insurance card and your doctor’s request with you.

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Bone Densitometry

Bone Densitometry is a diagnostic technique using a low dose of X-rays, to evaluate bone mineral density. In other words, it evaluates the strength of the skeleton by measuring the calcium content in the bones. This allows the analysis of the risk of fracture for the diagnosis and monitoring of osteoporosis (bone fragility)

Bone mineral density increases up to the age of 20-30 and then remains constant up to age 40 and gradually decreases thereafter. This phenomenon affects women more than men. Low bone density is a dependable indicator of the risk of fracture. The purpose of a Bone Densitometry examination is the prevention of osteoporosis and, therefore, of fractures, particularly those of the hip and spine.

This examination is painless and without side effects. You lie on your back, motionless. Under the supervision of a technologist, the machine’s arm slowly passes over the body and emits low-dose x-rays and records the data to measure bone density.

A computer program deciphers the data and produces the measurements in a graphic report. The data obtained are analysed by computer, and the results are interpreted by a radiologist. In addition, X-ray images of your lumbar and thoracic spine are taken to assist in the interpretation of the results and exclude any recent fracture.

Indications:    Menopause – Risk factors for osteoporosis – Osteoporosis monitoring and treatment.

Examination duration 15 to 30 minutes


Examinations COVERED by the RAMQ
(1 time / year)


PREPARATION

Avoid taking calcium tablets, and/or Tums/Rolaids and multivitamins containing calcium 24 hours before the examination.

You cannot have had a nuclear medicine examination, (PET CT, virtual colonoscopy, examination of the digestive system with barium or received an injection of a dye for a radio-diagnostic study) within ten (10) days prior to the bone densitometry examination.


Service offered in 5 of our clinics

    1

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    For a mammography appointment you must contact us by phone at 514-697-9940 and have your doctor’s request or the government letter on hand.

    For a bone densitometry appointment you must contact us by phone at 514-697-9940 and have your doctor’s request.

    N.B.: When you call, if our agents are busy, to avoid making you wait online, we have set up an option that allows you to be called back by the 1st available agent. Press 1 and an agent will contact you as soon as he is available.

    For a mammography appointment you must contact us by phone at 450-218-6111 and have your doctor’s request or the government letter on hand.

    For a bone densitometry appointment you must contact us by phone at 450-218-6111 and have your doctor’s request.

    N.B.: When you call, if our agents are busy, to avoid making you wait online, we have set up an option that allows you to be called back by the 1st available agent. Press 1 and an agent will contact you as soon as he is available.

    For an x-ray an appointment is not required. You must simply present yourself to our clinic with your signed referral from the physician and your medicare card. Due to higher traffic, we advise you not to show up between 11 a.m and 1 p.m

    N.B.: If your referral is signed by a podiatrist or a chiropractor the exam will not be covered by RAMQ and you will have to pay for your exam.

    To expedite the processing of your application, please attach your prescription now; you can photograph it or scan it. Know that it is mandatory to offer you an appointment.

    If you do not have it now, it will be asked when a member of our team contacts you.

    2

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    Or select the clinic of your choice from the list

    Opening hours
    Sunday Closed
    Monday - Friday 7:30 ‐ 20:00
    Saturday 8:00 ‐ 18:00
    1 Carré Westmount C210,
    Westmount, QC
    H3Z 2P9
    Opening hours
    Sunday 8:30 ‐ 14:00
    Monday - Friday 7:00 ‐ 19:00
    June 24th 7:00 ‐ 17:00
    July 1st 8:00 ‐ 16:00
    215 Avenue Frobisher,
    Pointe-Claire, QC
    H9R 4R9
    Opening hours
    Sunday 8:30 ‐ 16:00
    Monday - Thursday 7:45 ‐ 19:30
    Friday 7:45 ‐ 16:30
    Saturday 8:30 ‐ 16:00
    600 Boulevard Harwood,
    Vaudreuil-Dorion,
    QC J7V 6A3
    Opening hours
    Sunday Closed
    Monday - Thursday 8:00 ‐ 18:00
    Friday 8:00 ‐ 17:00
    Saturday Closed
    616 chemin Larocque, suite 210
    Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Qc J6T 4C5
    (Please note that the services of the clinic located at 521 boul. du Havre are now available at the address mentioned above)
    Opening hours
    Sunday Closed
    Monday - Friday 8:00 ‐ 16:00
    Saturday Closed
    12774, boul. Gouin O., suite 26
    Pierrefonds, Qc
    H8Z 1W5
    (We have a large parking lot with easy access)
    3

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