R.E.M.S Bone Scan

A BONE DENSITY SCAN WITHOUT RADIATION is now offered in clinics at Exeter Massage Therapy. EMT is one of the first to bring EchoS technology to Southwestern Ontario. Using R.E.M.S. (Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry) technology, this portable device measures not only bone density but also bone strength and assesses fracture risk. It measures the lumbar area1 (spine) as well as the proximal femur2 (hip) area. Bones are growing, living tissue and are both strong and flexible.

Previously the only way to measure Bone Mineral Density (BMD) was by DXA3, using radiation. Osteoporosis Canada says that BMD testing is usually not recommended in younger men and women (under age 50) unless there is a medical condition predisposing them to osteoporosis or when there are unexplained fragility fractures4.  Peak bone mass usually happens between the ages of 18 and 255. When you “check your bones” early and more frequently, lifestyle and nutrition changes can be implemented decades earlier to help prevent osteoporosis and future fractures.

Bone Density Scans can also be very useful during and after pregnancy, during and after oncology treatments and also for people with chronic kidney disease/nephropathy. The results can provide info for specialists to prescribe appropriate therapy, including vitamins and minerals, to present/minimize risk of osteoporosis and fractures. 

An EchoS scan session takes about 15 minutes and is painless. You will lie down on your back.  A gel facilitates the operation of a hand-held scanner with R.E.M.S. technology.

You will receive the results of the procedure, a very comprehensive document that includes: 

A. Body Composition – BMI6, Weight, Body Fat Percentage, Basal and Activity Metabolism by kcal/day (Sedentary, Moderately Active and Very Active)

B. Combining matrix of REMS BMD and Fragility Score, classifying your T-Score7classification and total fracture risk class of major osteoporotic fracture per 1000 subjects per 5 years

C. Densitometry – Spine showing BMD g/cm squared, Age, BMD and T-score (separately for L1 through L4 vertebrae), Z-score8, and Fracture Risk Assessment  - Fragility Score Spine, and 5-year risk of major osteoporotic fracture (percentage)

E. Densitometry – Proximal Femur showing results for Total, Neck and Trochanter: BMD g/cm squared, Age, BMD and T-score, Z-score, and Fracture Risk Assessment -  Fragility Score - Hip, and 5-year risk percentage of hip fracture (percentage)

Footnotes:

1 Lumber spine is the lower back region of your spinal column/backbone: L1, L2, L3, L4

2 Proximal femur is part of the hip joint; a fracture here is generally referred to as a hip fracture

3 DXA  (or DEXA) (Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) is a bone density scan uses a small dose of ionizing radiation

4 Fragility fractures are commonly defined as low-level/low-energy trauma, quantified by the World Health Organization as equivalent to a fall from standing height or less. Hip fractures in the elderly are common examples of a fragility fracture 

5 Source: Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation 

6 BMI is Body Mass Index, a person’s weight divided by the square of height and can indicate high body fat that that suggests increased risk of health problems

7 T-Score are numbers that compare the condition of your bones with those of an average young person with healthy bones

8 Z-Score compares your bone density to the average bone density of your own age and gender