FAQ's
01
Steps to Prepare for your Scan
Please aim to arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time as the schedule is tightly managed, and we cannot guarantee accommodation for late arrivals. It's advisable to empty your bladder or bowels before being called into the exam room, and arriving early will provide ample time for any necessary bathroom breaks.
We recommend wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. inguinal crease (groin) will need to be accessible for the hip exam initially, and later your abdomen will be exposed initially for the lumbar spine exam. You'll be asked to roll your pants down to mid-thigh, so please wear underwear.
To ensure accurate results, it's best to avoid eating a meal or drinking anything 2-3 hours before your exam. Gas in the intestines could potentially interfere with the lumbar spine examination.
03
IS the REMS evaluation uncomfortable?
It may not cause discomfort for most individuals, but if you have an abdominal hernia or sensitivity in the abdominal area, the lumbar spine segment of a REMS scan could potentially be uncomfortable. Similarly, if your BMI exceeds 35 or if you tend to carry excess weight in your abdomen, there might be some discomfort due to the pressure required to obtain a high-quality scan of the lumbar spine.
02
How Long does a REMS evaluation last?
A REMS assessment is scheduled to last approximately 30 minutes, allowing ample time to collect client information such as name, date of birth, race, gender, age at menopause, height, and weight. Once this data is entered into the system, the scan commences. REMS evaluations are conducted with the client lying face up on an examination table. The assessment begins with a two-minute scan of the lumbar spine, followed by data analysis. Shortly after, a report is generated. Subsequently, a one-minute scan of the proximal femur (hip) is performed, with the same process of analysis and report generation. If a total hip replacement has not been performed, both hips are scanned by OsteoInsight Technicians
04
How Do I Get My REMS Report?
During your REMS scan, you will have the opportunity to review your report on the monitor, which encompasses your T-score and Fragility Score.
For your convenience, we offer the option to receive a PDF copy of your report by providing your email address in the intake form before your appointment. This allows you to promptly share the findings with your physician. The PDF will be sent to you by the end of the day following your appointment.
05
Should I get a REMS scan if I've had a hip replacement or Spinal Surgery?
If you have undergone a total hip arthroplasty, the hip with the implant cannot be scanned. This would also be the same for DXA. If there is hardware in the lumbar spine or if you had a kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty, it is important to tell anyone who is imaging you, whether DXA or Echolight REMS, that you have had this type of procedure. If you have a history of a lumbar spine fracture, you will want to share this information with your examiner.
06
What is Echolight REMS? How do you describe REMS to your patients / clients?
Echolight is the name of the company that developed this technology. REMS (radiofrequency echographic multispectrometry) is an ultrasound technology used to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) and bone quality.
07
Is DEXA the same as REMS?
REMS provides data similar to that of a DXA scan, including bone mineral density (BMD). However, Qualis Os's device goes further by also assessing bone quality through the Fragility Score. Additionally, there's an optional software package called trabecular bone score (TBS) that can be integrated into DXA machines to analyze pixel data and offer insights into bone quality. It's worth noting that this software is not a standard feature on DXA machines.
08
Is REMS Better than the DEXA?
There are some advantages to REMS. These include evaluation of both BMD and bone quality. DXA does not evaluate both unless there is a TBS software package. Even then, TBS evaluates the lumbar spine only, not the femoral neck. A number of European research studies have demonstrated a high correlation of REMS BMD to DXA BMD.
Researchers have also shown that REMS is five times more sensitive to BMD changes than DXA. DXA reports can have errors related to positioning, body habitus, arthritis, scoliosis, and type 2 diabetes. REMS Fragility Score, a reflection of bone quality, is better than BMD in predicting fracture risk. One test is not necessarily better than the other. Those who are closely following their bone health should compare DXA to DXA and REMS to REMS when monitoring their bone health over time.
