nutch_noindex
Search Icon
    Menu Button
    Stanford Children's Health
    DonateContactMyChart LoginFind a Doctor
    • Second Opinion
    • Donate
    • Contact
    • Refer a Patient
    • En Español
    • Our Locations
    • Medical Services
    • About Us
    • Research & Innovation
    • Patients & Visitors
    • For Health Professionals
    • Second Opinion
    • Donate
    • En Español
    • MyChart Login
    • Recently Visited
      • Our Locations
      • Medical Services
      • About Us
      • Research & Innovation
      • Patients & Visitors
      • For Health Professionals
      CANCEL
      • View More Results

      Loading...

      COVID-2019 Alert

      Information about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. Read the latest >

      Información sobre el coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Aprenda más >

      /nutch_noindex

       


      Diagnosing Bone Disorders 

      How are bone disorders diagnosed?

      Along with a complete medical history and physical exam, other tests to diagnose bone disorders include:

      • Lab tests on blood, urine, and other body fluids

      • X-ray. An X-ray can show injuries, such as fractures, infections, arthritis, and other changes.

      • CT scan. This is an imaging test that uses X-rays and a computer to make detailed images of the body. A CT scan shows details of the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays.

      • Positron emission tomography (PET) scan. This scan uses radioactive glucose (sugar) to find active cancer. Cancer cells absorb a lot of radioactive sugar because of their high metabolic rate. This test can scan the entire body.

      • MRI. An MRI scan provides detailed images of soft tissue, the bone marrow cavity, and bone tumors.

      • Bone densitometry. Bone densitometry is often used to find osteoporosis. The test measures bone mass in the spine, hips, and arms. These are the areas most likely to fracture when bone mass is low.

      • Radionuclide bone scan. The bone scan is used to pinpoint the location of bone tumors. It's also used to find any spread to other bones. It's also used to diagnose stress fractures or tiny cracks in the bones

      • Biopsy. Tissue samples are removed and examined under a microscope. It's done to determine if cancer or other abnormal cells are present. Two types of biopsy, including:

        • Needle biopsy. A needle is inserted into the bone to get a tissue sample.

        • Open biopsy. A surgical procedure in which an incision is made through the skin to allow a sample of tissue to be cut or scraped away.

      Related Topics

      • Neurological Exam for Children
      • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
      nutch_noindex
      • About Us
      • Contact
      • MyChart Login
      • Careers
      • Blog
      • Refer a Patient
      • Download from App Store Download From Google Play
      • Notice of Nondiscrimination
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy
      • Code of Conduct

      © 2021 Stanford Children's Health

      About

      • About Us
      • Our Hospital
      • Patient Stories
      • Blog
      • News
      • Send a Greeting Card
      • New Hospital
      • Careers

      Connect

      • Donate
      • Refer a Patient
      • Contact Us
      • Pay Your Bill

      Find

      • Doctors
      • Locations
      • Services
      • Classes
      Download from App Store Download From Google Play

      Also Find Us on:

      • facebook
      • twitter
      • youtube
      • linkedin
      US News & World Report Badge
      • Stanford Medicine
      • Stanford University
      • Stanford Health Care
      • Lucile Packard Foundation
      • Notice of Nondiscrimination
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy
      • Code of Conduct
      • © 2021 Stanford Children's Health
      /nutch_noindex