Bone scan preparation

Overview

A bone scan is a special type of scan that uses a small amount of radioactive material (called a tracer) to look at your bones. It helps doctors check for problems such as infections, fractures, or cancer that has spread to the bones. The tracer highlights areas where bone is growing or repairing itself.

Bone scans are a common imaging test used to help diagnose bone problems. They are not done every day, but many hospitals perform them regularly.

Anyone may need a bone scan if their doctor suspects a bone problem. They are often used for people with cancer, unexplained bone pain, or after an injury that does not show up on a regular X-ray.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• There are no symptoms from the scan itself, but the scan helps find the cause of symptoms like bone pain or swelling.

Symptoms in children

• For children, a bone scan may be done to look for bone infections, growth plate problems, or cancer. The radiation dose is adjusted to be safe for their size.

Symptoms in older adults

• In older adults, a bone scan is often used to find fractures (breaks) that are hard to see on X-rays, or to check if cancer has spread to the bones.

Causes

Main causes

• A bone scan is not caused by anything; it is a test ordered to find the cause of bone-related symptoms or to monitor a known condition.

Risk factors

• You may need a bone scan if you have a history of cancer that can spread to bones (like breast, prostate, or lung cancer).
• Unexplained bone pain, especially if it's constant and worse at night.
• A recent fracture or bone injury that is not healing well.
• Bone infection (osteomyelitis) suspected by your doctor.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If you have severe bone pain that suddenly gets worse.
• If you have a high fever along with bone pain, which could be a sign of infection.

Book a routine appointment if:

• If you have ongoing bone pain that does not go away with rest.
• If you have a history of cancer and need routine scans to monitor your bones.

Diagnosis

A bone scan itself is a diagnostic test. Your doctor will review the scan images and combine them with your symptoms and other tests to make a diagnosis.

Tests that may be done

• Bone scan (nuclear medicine scan).
• X-rays, CT scans, or MRI may also be done to look at the bones in more detail.

What to expect at your appointment

You will be asked to drink water before the scan. A small amount of radioactive tracer is injected into a vein in your arm or hand. You then wait 2 to 4 hours for the tracer to travel to your bones. During that wait, you can drink water but may need to empty your bladder frequently. The scan itself is done lying on a table while a special camera moves slowly over your body. You need to stay still. It is painless. After the scan, the tracer passes out of your body through urine. You might be told to flush the toilet twice and wash your hands well. The radiation is very low and not dangerous to others, but you may be advised to avoid close contact with pregnant women and young children for a day.

Treatment

The bone scan itself is not a treatment – it is a diagnostic test. The results will help your doctor decide what treatment you need if a problem is found.

Self-care at home

• Drink plenty of water before and after the scan to help flush the tracer out.
• Empty your bladder often after the scan to reduce radiation exposure.
• Follow any extra instructions given by the hospital, like avoiding heavy exercise on the day of the scan.

Medical treatments

If the scan finds a problem, treatment depends on the cause. For example, if it shows an infection, you may need antibiotics. If it shows a fracture, you might need a cast or surgery. If cancer is found, treatments such as radiation, hormone therapy, or chemotherapy may be used. Your doctor will discuss the best plan for you.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery might be needed if the scan shows a fracture that is not healing, a bone infection that does not respond to antibiotics, or a tumour that needs to be removed.

Living with this condition

Having a bone scan does not change your daily life. You can return to normal activities after the scan, although you might need to take it easy if you had a bone problem before the scan.

Lifestyle tips

• Stay active as advised by your doctor, especially if you have a low bone density or are at risk of fractures.
• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol – these can weaken bones.

Diet and exercise

Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. Exercises that strengthen bones include walking, jogging, or weight training – but only if your doctor approves after reviewing your scan results.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Waiting for scan results can be stressful. It’s normal to feel anxious. Try to stay busy and talk to a friend or family member. If you are very worried, speak to your doctor’s office.

Prevention

Bone scans are not something you can prevent – they are a tool to find problems. However, you can take steps to keep your bones healthy to reduce the chance of needing one for fracture or disease screening.

Screening programmes

If you have certain types of cancer, your doctor may recommend regular bone scans as part of your follow-up. For people with high risk of osteoporosis, a different scan (DEXA scan) is usually used.

Complications

If left untreated

• If a bone problem is found and not treated, it could get worse – for example, an infection might spread or a fracture might not heal properly.

Long-term outlook

Most bone scans come back normal or show a treatable condition. If a problem is found, catching it early often leads to better outcomes. Talk to your doctor about the best steps for your situation.

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