When performing a forearm DXA scan, which arm should be scanned?

• A. Dominant arm
• B. Nondominant arm
• C. Both arms
• D. Either arm depending on comfort

Answer: (B)

The recommended practice for performing a forearm DXA scan is to scan the nondominant arm. This is primarily based on the understanding that the nondominant arm typically experiences less physical activity and stress compared to the dominant arm, which is often used more frequently in daily activities.

By focusing on the nondominant arm, the scan can yield a more accurate assessment of bone density that is less influenced by the potential effects of wear and tear associated with the dominant arm's usage. This approach helps to minimize variability in bone density measurements due to differences in usage and force over time.

While it may be tempting to scan the dominant arm in some scenarios, or even to scan both arms, the consistent practice is to utilize the nondominant arm to maintain standardization in diagnostic procedures. This helps ensure that the results are more reliable and comparable across patients.