Osteoporosis—a disease of dangerously fragile bones—can sneak up on you. That's because it doesn't cause any symptoms. People usually don't know they have it until a bone breaks unexpectedly, often from a minor fall.

The disease reduces bone mineral density, increasing the risk of fractures and breaks, particularly in post-menopausal women. In fact, half of all women and one in five men older than 65 will break a bone due to this degenerative condition.

Watson Clinic is pleased to offer the DEXA bone density scan, the most advanced technology available in the diagnosis of osteoporosis. This noninvasive enhanced x-ray detects and measures a patient’s bone density, and enables the most accurate diagnosis and treatment protocols. DEXA scan technology is housed at three Watson Clinic locations – Main, Bartow and Highlands – and is also available for non-clinic patients with a physician referral.

Current DEXA screening guidelines recommend the test be administered to men starting at the age of 70 and women over the age of 65. Postmenopausal women under the age of 65 should consider screening if they smoke, have a history of bone fracture, have taken oral steroids for a period of three months or longer, are under 127 pounds, or have a family history of osteoporosis.