Orthopedic Hospital of Oklahoma

Bone Scan

During a bone scan, radioactive isotopes that emit gamma rays are injected into your body in a vein. The isotopes are absorbed into your bones and a scanner records the presence of the isotopes throughout your entire body. This produces a clear picture of the structure of your bones, and is often helpful in detecting problems in their early stages. There is minor discomfort at the injection site, but otherwise the scan is painless.