Cary Medical Center in Caribou and Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent have joined forces to bring advanced bone densitometry technology to central and northern Aroostook County.  The two hospitals jointly purchased mobile bone densitometry equipment that can detect bone loss caused by osteoporosis, a bone weakening disease that affects more than 25 million Americans, 80% of whom are women.

The densitometry unit emits x-rays that are absorbed by the bones; the rate of absorption is measured by computers that determine the strength of the bone tissue.  Patients with weaker bones are more susceptible to fractures and complications from falls and accidents.  The bone densitometry exam takes only a few minutes and does not involve any injections or invasive procedures.