ASSESSMENT OF FEMORAL BONE FRAGILITY AND FRACTURE RISK BY ULTRASONIC MEASUREMENTS AT THE CALCANEUS

Background: quantitative ultrasound measurement (broadband ultrasound attenuation and speed of sound) is emerging as an alternative to photo n absorptiometry techniques in the assessment of osteoporosis. Objecti ve: to discuss briefly the fundamentals of ultrasound measurement of b one and critically review recent studies on the role of ultrasound in bone quality assessment and hip fracture prediction. Conclusions: the relationships between ultrasound and bone mineral density are too weak to allow accurate prediction of bone density at any skeletal site-inc luding the hip-from an ultrasound measurement at the calcaneus, Howeve r, in vitro evidence indicates that ultrasound provides structural inf ormation in addition to density. In line with these in vitro data, rec ent prospective studies have shown that ultrasound predicts hip fractu res strongly and independently of densitometry in older women.