Physician-Owned Practices
Protect your mobility
Get evaluated for osteoporosis risks to determine your need for a bone mineral density (BMD) testing.
11 easy-to-access Twin Cities locations
Choose from 65+ board-certified OBGYNs and APPs
Before Your Visit
Following these steps ensures the most accurate results.
Wear light and comfortable clothing with no zippers or buttons.
Please remove all jewelry prior to exam.
– No Calcium supplements 24 hours before your scan.
– No Barium or contrast agents x 1 week before
The entrance to the parking ramp is on Drew Avenue between 65th and 66th Street. Please avoid parking in the 6545 lot, it is difficult to locate our site from this lot.
Follow signs to the 6565 Medical Building. From the lobby, take the elevator to the third floor- Almara Women’s Health – suite 300.
If you are going to be late or need to reschedule your appointment,
please contact us at 952-223-2100.
Risks and impacts
Monitor your fracture risks with bone density scans. We recommended scans for every woman over 50. Bone density decreases slowly over time and often goes unnoticed until a fracture occurs, most commonly in the vertebrae, hip, and wrist. Low bone density can also cause chronic pain, stooped posture, and disability.
Although osteoporosis has no warning signs, it is preventable and treatable. Talk to your physician about your risk profile and whether bone mineral density testing is appropriate for you.
Please call us and select your primary Almara clinic, which will help you schedule.
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A different kind of care
Almara Women’s Health is an independent practice that is owned and operated by physicians. This gives us the ability to build a more comprehensive and personalized health care delivery system specifically around the needs of women. Learn more about how to get a personalized, evidence-based, and comprehensive approach for your life and longevity.
The practical science women need
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Get answers
Bone density tests can determine your risks for osteoporosis and fractures.
Some of the major risk factors include increasing age, a prior osteoporotic fracture, low body mass index, steroid use, smoking, and estrogen deficiency.
For dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scans, or DEXA, a normal T-score is -1.0 and above. Low bone mass, or osteopenia, is a T-score of -1.0 to -2.5. Osteoporosis is defined as a T-score of less than -2.5. However, the BMD or T-score alone does not determine the need for treatment.
The DEXA results along with FRAX assessments can guide the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women over 50 years old. It is not intended for younger women. FRAX uses BMD in the femoral neck and several risk factors to determine the 10 year probability of fracture. Women with a 10 year probability of hip fracture greater than 3% or major osteoporotic fracture greater than 20% should consider treatment. In addition, women with a previous hip or vertebral fracture or T-score less than or equal to -2.5 should also be considered for treatment. These are guidelines and may be individualized.
These problems are very common. In fact, almost 1 in 2 caucasian females will experience an osteoporosis related fracture in their lifetime. Osteoporosis occurs less frequently in African Americans, but when present, the risk of fracture is still present.
There are many interventions that women can use to promote bone health. In general, all women should insure adequate calcium (1200mg/day) and Vitamin D (800-1000IU/day) intake. Regular weight bearing and muscle strengthening exercises may also reduce the risk of fracture. Excessive alcohol intake (3 or more drinks per day) and smoking should be avoided. If a women requires treatment for low BMD or osteoporosis, there are a wide range of medications available for treatment.