Patients gain access to advanced bone health testing at Baptist Imaging Center

PADUCAH, KY (Sept. 16, 2025) — Baptist Health Paducah now offers Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) testing, an advanced imaging tool designed to help identify fracture risk in patients who may not be fully evaluated by bone mineral density (BMD) testing alone.

Ideal candidates for TBS testing are postmenopausal women, men over 50, patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis, individuals with secondary causes of bone loss (e.g., diabetes, glucocorticoid therapy, rheumatoid arthritis), or patients with normal BMD but unexplained fractures.

Unlike BMD, which measures bone quantity, TBS evaluates the texture and structure of bone, offering insight into strength and fracture risk. 
The software analyzes images of the lumbar spine to assess bone microarchitecture: a higher TBS score indicates dense, well-connected bone, while a lower score suggests porous, weakened structure.

“By providing access to Trabecular Bone Score testing to our community we’re taking a big step in advancing bone health care,” said radiologist Allison Simons, MD. “This technology not only helps us identify fracture risk more accurately but also allows us to create more personalized treatment plans for patients at risk of osteoporosis and other bone conditions.”

For patients, a TBS provides a more complete picture of bone health, helping to explain why fractures may occur even with normal BMD results. It empowers individuals to make informed decisions about treatment and prevention. 

For providers, a TBS enhances diagnostic accuracy, improves risk stratification when paired with the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX), and supports better treatment decisions.

TBS testing is available at the Baptist Imaging Center, located at 2705 Kentucky Avenue, Paducah, KY 42003.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 270.415.7242.