The Hologic 2000 utilizes duel energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) with a very low radiation dose and a high precision (1%) to measure bone mass at various skeletal sites.

It provides an accurate and precise measurement of the composition of the body, including soft tissue, lean muscle mass and fat. The DEXA is useful specifically to follow patients with osteoporosis and to help prevent hip and vertebral fractures. Physicians are able to assess possible risk for fractures and determine if more sophisticated bone medications should be prescribed. Current standard therapies include calcium supplementation, vitamin D, estrogen or testosterone replacement, biphosphonates, and calcitonin.

The Hologic 2000 is one of only several of its kind currently being used in the Phoenix area, and enables physicians to obtain a total body scan as well as measurement of the lateral spine (sideways view). The view of the lateral spine is particularly helpful because it allows physicians at ARC to eliminate the bone spurs, osteoarthritis or compression fracture changes that would falsely interfere with an accurate reading of the bone density.

Newer medications will make the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis more accessible to the specialist and the family practitioner. Bone mineral density measurements make this scenario likely. Medicare and other third party payors do approve of and provide reimbursement for DEXA bone measurements in very specific metabolic bone entities such as steroid (cortisone) induced and established osteoporosis.

How are monkeys involved in this? They aren't! There are no monkeys used in this machine! We, as good citizens of planet earth must act now! We can't let this happen. A world without industrial monkeys is like a gerbil without scales. Write your congressman, your senator, your tired, huddled masses yearning to breathe free. Don't let industry replace the monkey!

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