partner in fracture prevention

Welcome to Osteoscan

Osteoscan, founded over 30 years ago by two of Adelaide’s leading endocrinologists, has already scanned more than 50,000 patients for osteoporosis and offers itself as your partner in fracture prevention.

Who we are?

We provide high-quality DEXA scanning by dedicated technicians using the latest generation of hardware and software. Additionally, all reporting is performed by experienced clinicians who incorporate both DEXA data and clinical information into an integrated report, which includes calculation of estimated future fracture risks. Reports can be delivered directly to your medical records software, in paper format, or both. Patients have the convenience of choosing from our 3 locations.

Our services

DEXA Scanning Services

Bone densitometry by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) of the hip and spine is the ‘gold standard’ test for diagnosing osteoporosis and monitoring the response to treatment.

Vertebral Fracture Assessment

used to screen for undiagnosed vertebral fracture. This service is conveniently performed at the same time as a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) scan and uses low radiation dose DEXA, unlike a spinal X-ray.

Fasting Serum Crosslaps

determines how fast a patient is losing bone mass and if the current treatment is working effectively.

Whole Body Scanning

If you are interested in weight loss or fitness Whole Body Scanning is the gold standard in defining and measuring body mass, muscle mass and fat percentages. It can be used as a method of monitoring the efficacy of a program of exercises or weight loss.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteo’ means bone and ‘porosis’ means porous.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease where the structure of our bones becomes fragile and brittle due to loss of crucial minerals, such as calcium. Our bones then crush and easily break.

Osteoporosis often does not cause pain, and the first sign of the condition can be a broken bone.

Information for
Patients

Information for
Practitioners

Research Trials

Osteoscan has been involved for many years in clinical research trials. Ostescan has provided scanning services to many leading research organisations undertaking research and clinical trial for many large pharmaceutical companies.

Work Description

Trial Monitoring

Impact and Results

Technical Staff Approval

FAQ

Roughly speaking, men are considered “ten years behind” women in terms of the risk of fragility fractures.

The risk of fragility fractures in women is higher compared to men. Approximately two out of three women will experience a fragility fracture during their lifetime, whereas the risk for men is lower, with about one out of three men experiencing a fragility fracture.

Similar to women, various treatments are available for men to address fragility fractures and osteoporosis. These treatments may include lifestyle modifications, exercise programs, dietary adjustments, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and medication options such as bisphosphonates or denosumab.

Few studies are performed on men.  It is easier to recruit women to studies in large numbers (more women are interested; more of them attend osteoporosis screening or menopause clinics).  It is expensive for manufacturers to sponsor duplicate studies of men and women.
Although there appears to be no difference in bone biology between the sexes, the PBS (federal government department which subsidises medications) will not subsidise medicines for men when the effectiveness and the safety have not been separately confirmed in men.
Twenty years ago, a group of male Canberra residents brought a successful action against the PBS for discrimination on the grounds of sex.  The medication was for osteoporosis – but one that we rarely use now.
At present, men can still take the same medication as women, but must pay the full price without government subsidy.

There is only one medicine that actually increases the amount of bone.  This is teriparatide (trade name Forteo).  To take this treatment, you need to inject yourself every day.  It is very expensive.  The Pharmaceutical Benefit Service  only subsidises it for people with exceptionally fragile bones.