Bone scan Bone scintigraphy
A small amount of radioactive tracer concentrates in areas of active bone turnover, then the whole body is imaged a few hours later.
What it can show
Areas of abnormal bone activity across the whole skeleton in a single study.
What it cannot show
Does not say why an area is active — old fractures, inflammation, degeneration and other lesions can all take up tracer.
This is the half people skip. A normal result answers one question, not every question.
Tell the staff before you start
Pregnancy · breastfeeding · a recent contrast study · close contact with small children planned that day.
Also bring the full list of every medicine and supplement you take. Things bought without a prescription belong on that list too.