Dr Liz Bellamy, Consultant Radiologist, said, “The new machine is a top of the range model which will enable us to do whole body and lateral scans as well as the routine images of spine, hip and forearm. The new machine will bring improvements for patients and help us to progress towards ensuring that all patients are diagnosed and treated within 18 weeks in the future.”

Paul Vaughan, Product Sales Specialist at Vertec Scientific Ltd said: "We are very pleased to continue our long standing support of the Osteoporosis Service at St Peters Hospital. The Discovery system is proving to be the system of choice with many leading clinicians diagnosing Osteoporosis. The Discovery is also able to identify Vertebral deformities and fractures with a high resolution 15 second lateral scan and using a very low dose of radiation to the patient.”

Speaking after the machine had been installed Senior Radiographer Marie Richards, who is in charge of the Bone Density Unit at the hospital, said:  “This is an excellent new machine. It is a much needed replacement for an ageing scanner that has been in constant use in the department for the last 11 years.  The new machine and associated software will enable the Department to increase efficiency in all areas of its operation, both in scanning and patient reporting. The Department is continually improving and we are very grateful to the Local National Osteoporosis Society for all the support they have given us during the last 16 years, most recently having paid for complete redecoration and carpeting of our room prior to the installation of the new machine.”

Osteoporosis is a condition that affects the bones, causing them to become thin and weak. It is often not diagnosed until this weakening has led to a broken bone. An X-ray cannot reliably measure bone density but is useful to identify fractures. A bone density scan, called a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan, is used to measure the density of bones and compare this to a normal range. This test measures the strength of bones and the risk of fracture.

After the patient has had their scan the results are sent to the referrer who can prescribe the relevant medication using the Bone Density Unit’s treatment management guide. Follow-up scans are then requested in the future to ascertain treatment efficiency.

Osteoporosis happens more commonly in old age when the body becomes less able to replace worn out bone. Special cells within the bones, called living bone cells are no longer able to effectively breakdown old bone and renew it with healthy, dense (Thick) new bone. As you get older, you also loose a certain amount of bone, causing the bones to become thinner. The bones become fragile and more likely to break (Fracture), particularly the bones of the spine, hips and wrist. Bone is a living tissue that is constantly repairing itself. It is made of a hard outer shell, which contains a mesh of collagen (Tough elastic fibres), minerals, blood vessels and bone marrow. This mesh looks like a honeycomb, with spaces between the different parts. Healthy bones are very dense and the spaces within bones are small. In bone affected by osteoporosis the spaces are larger making the bones more fragile and less elastic.

Bones are repaired and re-enforced by a range of proteins and minerals, which are absorbed from the blood stream. They include Calcium, Phosphorus, Proteins and Amino Acids.  Sex hormones control the amount of mineral substances deposited in the bones. Changes in hormone levels can therefore affect the strength of the bones. For example the female hormone Oestrogen offers some protection against Osteoporosis.  After the menopause, Oestrogen levels fall often causing the bones to thin quickly. Osteoporosis is very common and in some cases can be severe. Approximately 3 million people in the UK have Osteoporosis and there are over 230 thousand fractures every year as a result.   To quantify this further, it is estimated that 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 yrs will sustain a fracture due to Osteoporosis.