The tests are important, because they can alert you to problems with your bones before you have a fracture.

WHAT DOES BONE DENSITY TESTING DO AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

As people age, they often lose bone more quickly than they can replace it, so their bones can become porous and brittle. If left unchecked, this bone loss can lead to a disorder called osteoporosis, defined as reduced bone mass and poor bone quality. The disorder makes bones weak and prone to fracture. People who have osteoporosis have bones that can break with even the mildest impact.

Fractures of the spine and hip can lead to chronic pain, deformity, depression, disability, and even death. Plus, half the people who break a hip never regain the ability to walk without assistance, and a quarter need long term care.

The problem is that osteoporosis does not cause any symptoms, so people do not usually know they have the condition until they break a bone unexpectedly. That’s where bone density tests come in.

Bone density tests measure how strong the bones are. Health care providers use these tests to both screen for and diagnose osteoporosis. The tests are important, because they can alert you to problems with your bones before you have a fracture.

The Special hospital for rehabilitation “Bukovicka Banja” in Arandjelovac has a modern diagnostic DEXA device, the gold standard for accurate measurement of bone density, especially in osteoporosis.

It is a commercial diagnostic procedure, which includes a specialist examination by a rheumatologist and a description of the results with recommendations related to drug therapy. The price is 2000 dinars, and examinations can be reserved on the phone numbers 725-250 and 725-251. The area code for Arandjelovac is 034.