A bone scan is a radiologic technique in which a small amount of a radioactive chemical, also known as a tracer, is injected into the veins. This tracer is used to help visualize how fast bones are being broken down and reformed.

Bone scans serve several medical diagnostic purposes, according to Drugs.com. They can diagnose bone tumors or cancer, detect if a patient’s cancer has spread, diagnose bone fractures and bone infections, determine the source of bone pain, and assess metabolic disorders.