Sound Foot Care Center of CT
148 East Ave, Suite 2H
Norwalk, CT 06851
Ph. 203.866.7686
Fax. 203.866.7685

Bone Scans Can Reveal More About Your Bones

For years, the gold standard for identifying bone fractures was the x-ray. However, some bone fractures, including stress fractures, as well as bone infections, may not be able to be diagnosed using conventional x-ray methods. For these conditions, a bone scan may be more reliable.

A bone scan is one of a number of more sensitive nuclear imaging tests that can provide a more detailed image of bone. In a bone scan, a tracer substance is injected into a vein in the arm. The tracer travels through the bloodstream and into the bones, so a special camera is able to take pictures of the tracer deposits in the bone. Areas of the bone that show more “activity,” either through disease or repair, will have more of the tracer element.

But while a bone scan can show us where something is wrong, it will not necessarily be able to tell us what is wrong. We will need to take a personal history and perform a physical examination and may recommend additional imaging tests before making a final diagnosis. A bone scan is painless, although you may experience some soreness and swelling at the injection site that can be relieved with warm, moist compresses.

Contact our office if you have foot pain. We will be able to recommend the best tests to correctly diagnose your pain and have you back on your feet as soon as possible.