Study Results Show Promise for Using Ultrasound to Assess Bone Health

A study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found inexpensive ultrasound screenings for osteoporosis can accumulate as much data as dual/energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for bone health assessments. The researchers employed the ultrasound procedure to scan the left and right calcaneus of participants and collected blood samples for vitamin D analysis. Information was obtained regarding Fracture Risk Assessment tool parameters, menstrual history, and drug and supplement use. The team determined data from the calcaneus was equal to data gathered from the DXA. West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine Professor Carolyn Komar acknowledged ultrasound does not yield the same information as a full DXA scan, but said it offers a clear enough perspective for concerned healthcare recipients and has potential as a tool for evaluating more people across multiple demographics.