FAQ

Yes, there should be correlation (agreement) between REMS and DXA results for the same scanned area (e.g., the lumbar spine). If REMS and DXA results differ significantly, a clinical interpretation from a healthcare provider is recommended.

REMS is less subject to error (e.g., positional, operational, or machine). REMS results have been independently validated to show a higher degree of accuracy and reliability compared to DXA.

No, REMS doesn't detect osteoarthritis (OA). It's designed to measure bone density and assess fracture risk related to osteoporosis, not joint problems.

In people with OA, REMS is actually better than traditional DXA scans at detecting osteoporosis. That's because it can "see through" the bone changes and calcifications that OA causes, which can make DXA scans give falsely high bone density readings.

REMS uses smart technology to filter out artifacts from things like bone spurs and sclerosis (thickening) in the spine, giving you a clearer picture of actual bone health even when OA is present.

While REMS won't tell you if you have osteoarthritis, if you do have OA and need to check your bone health, REMS can give you more accurate results than DXA. However, you'll still need regular clinical exams and joint-focused imaging (like X-rays or MRIs) to actually diagnose and monitor the osteoarthritis itself.

REMS is performed at the lumbar spine and hip because these anatomical areas are the reference sites used to diagnose osteoporosis and predict the most clinically relevant fractures (hip and vertebral).

Why these specific areas matter:

• Hip and lumbar spine Bone Mineral Density (BMD) are the basis for the World Health Organization’s (WHO) T‑score definitions and most osteoporosis guidelines.

• Measuring these sites allows REMS reports to be interpreted exactly like DXA.

• Hip and vertebral fractures contribute the greatest morbidity, mortality, and health‑system cost and, consequently, are the anatomical regions of greatest clinical interest and importance.

The technical advantage:

The REMS software and reference databases are calibrated specifically for L1–L4 and femoral neck/total hip, providing validated BMD, T‑score, Z‑score, and fragility-score metrics at these anatomical locations. Focusing on these reproducible, accessible, anatomical areas keeps scan time efficient while maximizing precision and minimizing artifacts.*

*In the context of a Bone Mineral Density Scan, an artifact is any misrepresentation or distortion in the image or measurement that does not reflect the true bone density.

The scanning process involves the placement of a transducer (which emits high-frequency sound waves into the body and detect the echoes reflected back from tissues and organs) over the proximal femur (hip) and lumbar spine.

BoneHealth BC scans four vertebral segments by scanning the abdomen. Normally, the scan of these two areas provides the information needed for your bone health assessment report, which will report BMD, T-score, Z-score, and Fragility Score. If you would your other hip scanned there is an additional charge of $50. Please advise ahead of time if you would like both hips scanned.

BoneHealth BC provides a scanning service and charges $225 for a REMS bone health scan. This includes a comprehensive bone health assessment report that you can share with your primary care provider for interpretation within the context of your health history and goals.

 BoneHealth BC virtual consulting is provided by licensed Naturopathic Doctors in the province of BC. As such, if you have extended insurance that includes naturopathy, you can submit your receipt to your insurance provider. We do not direct bill insurance.