Bone scan
A nuclear medicine scan that uses a small amount of a radioactive tracer, injected into a vein, to show areas where bone is more active — for example from injury, infection, arthritis or cancer.
✓ Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant · last reviewed September 2026 · next review September 2027 · how we review
In short
- A bone scan uses a small injected radioactive tracer to show areas of active bone ('hot spots') across the whole skeleton.
- It does use ionising radiation, kept as low as possible, and is only done when the benefit outweighs the small risk.
- A hot spot is not automatically cancer — arthritis, old fractures and infection also light up, so findings often need another test to explain.
- Tell the team beforehand if you are or might be pregnant or are breastfeeding, and expect short contact precautions with young children and pregnant women afterwards.
A plain-English summary. The detail — including risks and recovery — is below.
At a glance
A general guide. Your radiologist will give you advice for your situation.
Shows the whole skeleton in one test, which a single X-ray cannot.
It is usually avoided in pregnancy unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk, because the tracer is radioactive.
You can go home and eat and drink as normal. There is no sedation, so you can drive.
Clear written advice on fluids and contact precautions, with a time they end.
You can go home and eat and drink as normal. There is no sedation, so you can drive.
Drink plenty of fluids to help flush the tracer out in your urine. Keep your distance from babies, young children...
The tracer largely clears from your body and your urine is no longer significantly radioactive. Short contact...
A report goes to the clinician who referred you, who will discuss the findings and any next steps with you.
What is a bone scan?
A bone scan is a type of nuclear medicine scan that shows how active different parts of the skeleton are. A small amount of a radioactive tracer is injected into a vein, usually in the arm, and is taken up by the bones. Areas where bone is busy repairing or reacting take up more tracer and show as 'hot spots' on the pictures taken by a special camera (a gamma camera).
It is used to look at bone pain, possible spread of cancer to the bones, infection, fractures that are hard to see on an ordinary X-ray, arthritis and some other bone conditions. Its strength is that it shows the whole skeleton and can pick up changes early, sometimes before they appear on a plain X-ray.
Because the tracer is radioactive, a bone scan does use ionising radiation. The dose is small and kept as low as possible, broadly comparable to some other X-ray tests, and the scan is only done when the benefit clearly outweighs the small risk. Tell the team before the scan if you are, or might be, pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding.
A hot spot is not the same as a diagnosis. Increased activity simply means the bone is reacting, which can be due to arthritis, an old fracture or infection as well as cancer, so a finding often needs another test, such as an X-ray, CT or MRI, to explain it.
Types, options & approaches
There may be different ways to do this. The right approach depends on the clinical question and your circumstances.
Bone scan vs plain X-ray or MRI
| Point | Bone scan | X-ray / MRI |
|---|---|---|
| Mainly shows | Bone activity across the skeleton | Detailed structure of an area |
| Covers whole body? | Yes | Usually one area |
| Uses radiation? | Yes, from a tracer | X-ray yes; MRI no |
| Best for | Finding where to look | Explaining what a spot is |
A bone scan often shows where a problem is, then an X-ray, CT or MRI explains what it is. Your clinician will advise the right combination.
Preparing for your scan
- There is usually no special preparation — you can eat, drink and take your usual medicines as normal.
- Tell the department before the scan if you are, or might be, pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding.
- Plan for a long visit: an injection, a wait of about 2 to 3 hours, then the scan.
- Drink plenty of water between the injection and the scan, as this improves the pictures.
- You can usually leave the department during the waiting time and come back.
- Arrange your day so you can keep your distance from babies, young children and pregnant women for the rest of the day.
- Wear comfortable clothing and expect to remove jewellery or metal items for the scan.
What happens
At your appointment, a small amount of radioactive tracer is injected into a vein in your arm or hand, which feels like a routine blood test. You then wait, usually about 2 to 3 hours, while the tracer is taken up by your bones. During this time you are encouraged to drink plenty of water and to empty your bladder regularly, and you can often leave the department.
When it is time, you lie on a couch and a gamma camera, which has large flat detectors, moves slowly close to you, often passing from head to toe. The camera does not give off radiation; it detects the tiny amount coming from your bones. You need to keep still, and this part usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes. Some people also have extra 3D pictures (SPECT) or a low-dose CT.
Afterwards you can go home and eat and drink as normal. You will be advised to keep drinking fluids to clear the tracer, and to limit close contact with babies, young children and pregnant women for the rest of the day. The pictures are reviewed and written into a report rather than given on the day.
Is this scan right for me?
A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.
May not be suitable if…
- It is usually avoided in pregnancy unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk, because the tracer is radioactive.
- It shows bone activity rather than fine detail, so it cannot, on its own, say what a hot spot is.
- It is not the best first test for a single, clearly localised bone problem that a plain X-ray or MRI would show better.
- It may need to be timed around breastfeeding, which sometimes has to be paused for a period.
Delay or rearrange if…
- You are, or might be, pregnant and the scan is not urgent.
- You are breastfeeding and have not had advice on whether to pause it.
- You have had another nuclear medicine test very recently, which could affect the pictures.
- You cannot keep still long enough for the scan, which may affect the quality.
Alternatives to discuss
- Plain X-ray for many localised bone problems.
- MRI, which gives detailed images without radiation and is often better for the spine and soft tissue.
- CT scan for detailed bone structure.
- No scan, with a review of symptoms, if the result would not change management.
Before you decide
Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.
What matters most to me?
Think about symptoms, daily life, work, caring responsibilities, sport, fertility, travel, appearance and anxiety — the right choice depends on your priorities, not just the medical facts.
What are all my options?
Ask about waiting, monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, a smaller or larger procedure, a different test, NHS referral, or a second opinion where that would help.
What would make me pause?
Active infection, pregnancy, unstable medical problems, smoking, medicines that increase bleeding, poor support at home, or feeling pressured are all reasons to slow down and get tailored advice.
What happens if I do nothing today?
For some problems, waiting is safe; for others, delay can make treatment harder. A good consultation should explain the trade-off in plain English.
Benefits
- Shows the whole skeleton in one test, which a single X-ray cannot.
- Can pick up changes early, sometimes before they appear on a plain X-ray.
- Helps find the cause of bone pain and assess possible spread of cancer to bone.
- Can help detect infection, hard-to-see fractures and some arthritis.
- Usually involves only a small injection, with no sedation and little discomfort.
- Points to where a problem is so the right area can be examined more closely.
Risks & complications
- A brief pinprick and possible small bruise where the tracer is injected
- A long appointment with a wait of a few hours between injection and scan
- Needing to limit close contact with young children and pregnant women for the rest of the day
- Exposure to a small amount of radiation, balanced against the benefit of the scan
- A hot spot that needs another test (X-ray, CT or MRI) to explain it
- Needing the scan repeated if you cannot keep still or the pictures are unclear
- An allergic-type reaction to the tracer, which is rare
- A false alarm (a hot spot that is harmless) or a problem the scan does not show (a false negative)
The radiation from the tracer is small and kept as low as possible, but it is real, so a bone scan is only done when it will genuinely help. The most common misunderstanding is to read a hot spot as cancer: increased activity can be due to arthritis, old injuries or infection, which is why findings are interpreted alongside your history and often need another test. Tell the team if you might be pregnant or are breastfeeding, and ask what a hot spot would mean and what the next step would be.
Published figures to discuss
A bone scan is sensitive at detecting bone activity but is not specific, meaning it readily shows changes but cannot say what is causing them. False positives (harmless hot spots) and the need for follow-up imaging are therefore common, and a normal scan does not exclude every problem. The note below gives the broad radiation picture rather than a precise individual dose, which your department can provide.
| Figure | Reported range | How to interpret it | Source / confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radiation dose from the bone scan tracer | Small; broadly comparable to some other X-ray tests, roughly a few mSv, similar to a barium meal in some sources | Kept as low as reasonably possible; your department can give the exact dose and what it compares to for you. | Guide sourcesClinical context |
| False-positive hot spots | Common because arthritis, fracture, infection and healing bone can all take up tracer | A bone scan is sensitive but not always specific; X-ray, CT, MRI or clinical correlation may be needed. | NHS — Bone scan (Guy's and St Thomas')guysandstthomas.nhs.ukSource-linked context |
| Very early or purely marrow-based disease being missed | Possible | MRI or PET-CT may be better for some questions; the right scan depends on the clinical problem. | Guide sourcesClinical context |
These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.
What happens afterwards
There is no physical recovery from the scan itself. 'Afterwards' is mainly about clearing the tracer by drinking fluids, following short contact precautions, and then waiting for the report.
- No physical after-effects beyond a possible small bruise at the injection site
- Passing slightly radioactive urine for around a day, which is expected
- Following short contact precautions with young children and pregnant women
- No immediate result, with a report following afterwards
Aftercare
- Drink plenty of fluids for the rest of the day to help clear the tracer.
- Empty your bladder regularly and wash your hands well after using the toilet.
- Limit prolonged close contact with babies, young children and pregnant women for the rest of the day.
- There is no need to stop giving essential care to your own children — ask the team how to balance this.
- Resume your usual diet and medicines as normal.
- Carry any card or letter the department gives you, as the tracer can occasionally trigger sensitive radiation detectors for a short time.
- Make sure you know who will give you the result and when.
- Awareness that the visit lasts most of a half-day
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding flagged to the department in advance
- Plenty of water planned during the waiting time and afterwards
- Day planned around contact precautions with young children and pregnant women
- Comfortable clothing without metal for the scan
- A note of how and when results will be given
⚠ Get urgent help if…
- Difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or a widespread rash after the injection (possible reaction)
- Increasing redness, swelling, pain or warmth at the injection site
- Feeling faint, unwell or developing a fever after the scan
- Worsening bone pain, or new pain, while waiting for the result
- Any new severe symptom such as sudden weakness, numbness or loss of bladder or bowel control (seek urgent help)
- Concerns about contact precautions if you care for a baby or live with someone pregnant — ask the department
Who to contact: your clinician, clinic or test provider first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.
General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your radiologist gives you.
Results & realistic expectations
A bone scan shows areas where the bone is more active, seen as hot spots. The pattern, number and position of these areas, together with your history and other tests, is what the specialist interprets. A normal scan is reassuring, and certain patterns can point towards or away from problems such as cancer spread.
The key limitation is that a hot spot is not a diagnosis. Increased activity can come from arthritis, an old or healing fracture, infection or cancer, so a finding often needs another test, such as an X-ray, CT or MRI, to explain it. Equally, a normal scan does not rule out every problem. Your clinician will put the result together with everything else before deciding what it means and what to do next.
A bone scan reflects bone activity on the day. Because conditions and treatments change, a scan may be repeated later to track a problem or to see how it is responding to treatment. Your clinician will advise whether and when a repeat scan is useful.
Related tests, treatments or support
A bone scan is often the first step that shows where to look, and is then combined with a plain X-ray, CT or MRI to explain a hot spot. Some bone scans include 3D pictures or a low-dose CT (SPECT-CT) at the same time. Results are interpreted alongside blood tests, other imaging and your symptoms.
Follow-up & long-term care
Results are not given on the day. A report is written and sent to the clinician who referred you, usually within days to a couple of weeks, and they will then discuss it with you and arrange any further test or treatment. Make sure you know who is responsible for giving you the result and how to get in touch if you do not hear.
Repeat, follow-on and what comes next
- A hot spot commonly needs another test, such as an X-ray, CT or MRI, to explain it.
- A scan may be repeated later to track a condition or its response to treatment.
- A scan of poor quality, for example from movement, may need repeating.
Ask what happens if the result is unclear or needs repeating, and what is included if further tests or follow-up are needed.
What good aftercare looks like
- Clear written advice on fluids and contact precautions, with a time they end.
- A named contact and a defined route and time for getting the report.
- A plan for the follow-up imaging often needed to explain a hot spot.
- Sensible advice for parents and carers on balancing precautions with caring for children.
What affects the cost
Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:
- Whether the scan is a standard, three-phase or SPECT-CT study
- The tracer used and whether a combined low-dose CT is included
- The seniority of the specialist reporting the scan
- The length of the appointment and number of imaging stages
- Whether a same-day report is included
- Any follow-up consultation or further test (X-ray, CT or MRI) needed
- The scan fee, including the tracer and any combined CT
- Who performs and reports the scan and their qualifications
- Whether a written report goes to your GP or referring clinician
- A follow-up appointment to discuss results
- What happens, and what it costs, if another test is needed to explain a finding
- How and when results are provided
On the NHS? Bone scans are widely available on the NHS when clinically needed; some people choose private imaging for speed or convenience.
You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including reports, follow-up and what happens if the result is inconclusive — before you decide.
Consent traps and marketing red flags
These are not small details. They are often where patients lose choice, time to reflect, or realistic expectations.
Consent traps
- Reading a hot spot as a definite cancer diagnosis without further tests.
- Not being told the scan involves a radioactive tracer and a small radiation dose.
- Not being asked about, or not disclosing, pregnancy or breastfeeding beforehand.
- Not being given clear contact precautions for after the scan.
Marketing red flags
- Promoting a bone scan as a complete check of the bones or a definitive cancer test.
- Not mentioning radiation, the tracer, or pregnancy and breastfeeding precautions.
- Implying a hot spot always means cancer, or that a normal scan rules out all disease.
- Offering scans without considering whether X-ray or MRI would be more appropriate.
Choosing a specialist safely
- Check the radiologist is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
- Make sure they work at a CQC-registered service, and look for membership of the relevant Royal College or professional body.
- You're entitled to time to consider and to have your questions answered before you agree — the radiologist who looks after you should explain it, not a salesperson.
- Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
- You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including any follow-up — before you decide.
Questions to ask your medical professional
Take this to your consultation. A good radiologist will welcome every one of these.
- What are you looking for on my bone scan?
- If you find a hot spot, what would the next test be to explain it?
- How much radiation does this involve, and is it justified for me?
- What contact precautions will I need afterwards, and for how long?
- What happens if the scan is normal but my pain continues?
- Who will give me my result, and when?
- Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
- Will you be the radiologist who carries out my scan, and who looks after me afterwards?
- What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
- What does a realistic result look like — and what can this scan not achieve?
- What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
- Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
- What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?
Frequently asked questions
Does a bone scan use radiation?
Does a hot spot mean I have cancer?
Why is the appointment so long?
Is the injection safe, and will it make me feel unwell?
Why must I avoid children and pregnant women afterwards?
Is it safe if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
When will I get my results?
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How we made this page
Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →
Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.
Sources & standards: Cancer Research UK — Bone scan NHS — Bone scan (Guy's and St Thomas') GOV.UK (UKHSA) — Ionising radiation: dose comparisons RCR — Clinical radiology standards and guidance
Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.
Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.
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