
What in the World Is a Bone Density Scan — And Do I Need One?
By Kimberly Mercurio, MD
Bone mineral density (BMD) scans, also known as dual-energy X‑ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA) scans, use a very small amount of radiation to determine the mineral content in your bones and tests for osteoporosis and/or osteopenia.