Heel bone ultrasound screens for osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, thinning of the bones, is a common problem for people, especially women, as they get older.

There is extensive testing for it, including bone density studies, but recently scientists have discovered that a simple ultrasound of the heel bone can determine who is at risk for osteoporosis.

The study, known as as heel-bone quantitative ultrasound (QUS) can also determine who is at a lower risk and doesn’t need to undergo more extensive testing.

Some other risk factors for osteoporosis include age, sex (females are more likely to develop it) family history, frame size, lifetime exposure to estrogen, certain medications and a sedentary lifestyle.