Portable Bone density machines

[HSA9]

How do hand and heel bone density testing by ultra sound compare to Bone density via x-ray

[yogalibrarian]

There is a good BoneSense article on the American Bone Health webstie - americanbonehealth.org/bone....

Ther is also a good article on bone density testing.

americanbonehealth.org/abou...

The "gold standard" for determining bone density is the DEXA (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry)

Bone density (or the lack of it) doesn't show up on a standard x-ray unless the bone density is really, really low. Undiagnosed fractures, such as mild vertebral fractures will show up on a standard x-ray

The heel ultrasound generally shows up a health fairs and community wellness events. Although it may be OK for raising awareness, it is not a diagnostic tool, and only marginally good as an assessment tool (my opinion). I put it in the same category as the blood pressure monitor at the pharmacy -- not something to base your medical decisions on.

Note: I had the heel ultrasound done at a health event. It said that I had normal bone density (-1.0). The full DEXA, done 3 weeks earlier, showed osteopenia (-1.6).

[HSA9 in reply to yogalibrarian]

Thank you so much, this is exactly what happened at a fair I had conflicting results with a heel scanner. However, I am interested to know how does it compare to the omni hand held portable ultra sound, it uses a different technology. Called Beammed Omni. beammed.com/

I am having a proper DEXA done but just curious about the mini omni and your feedback.

Thanks for the articles they were great!

[yogalibrarian in reply to HSA9]

The DEXA looks at the central areas of the body (hip and spine). I think that is the standard fro diagnosis.

The peripheral tests (wrist, heel, finger) are, by definition, away from the central area. Peripheral tests are generally used for screening not diagnosis. They are used to help determine who might benefit from a central DEXA.

I think ultrasound is a screening tool not a diagnostic tool. I put these peripheral scans in the same catagory as blood pressure or cholesteral screenings at health fairs. They are convenient. They provide useful datapoints when deciding next steps. but they are not diagnostic, so I wouldn't base a treatment plan on them

I think the peripheral tests are sometimes used when a central DEXA can't be performed (joint replacements in both hips, or a patient who weighs over 400 lbs.)

According the National Osteoporosis Foundation the results of a peripheral scan cannot be compared to the results of a central DEXA.

Stresses on the bone stimulate bone formation (regeneration). Impact, such as walking, formation, closer to the site of impact (the heels). As you move away from the site of impact the force become less. Another interesting bit of data--the dominant arm of a tennis player usually has higher bone density than the non-dominant arm.

Note: I say all this as an educator (and formal medical librarian) not as a medical professional.

[HSA9 in reply to yogalibrarian]

Thanks makes lots of sense really appreciate the information.