Bones are living tissue. They are constantly being torn down and rebuilt throughout our lives. But for many women, especially after menopause, that balance changes. Bone breaks down faster than the body can rebuild it.
Over time, bones become weaker and more brittle, a condition called osteoporosis, which increases the risk of fractures in the spine, hips and wrists. A less severe stage called osteopenia means that the bone density is already lower than normal and can develop into osteoporosis if nothing is changed.
Osteoporosis is extremely common. More than 10 million adults in the United States have the condition, and approx 4 out of 5 of them are women. Another 40+ million people have osteopenia, putting them at risk of developing the disease later in life.
Hormonal changes play a big role. When estrogen levels drop during menopause, bone loss accelerates dramatically. Women can lose up to 20% of their bone density in the years around menopause.
Despite how common it is, osteoporosis is often called the “silent disease.” Many people don’t know they have it until a bone is broken.
And although screening can detect bone loss early, many women don’t get tested. Experts recommend routine screening for women starting at age 65or earlier for people with risk factors, but screening rates remain low.
The current standard test is called a DEXA scan or DXA scan (short for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry). It is a quick, low-dose imaging test that measures bone density, usually in the hip and spine, to determine whether someone has normal bone density, osteopenia, or osteoporosis.
But DEXA scans require a separate appointment at a specialized imaging center, and many women either don’t realize they’re needed or aren’t referred in time.
That’s why the best tools for screening, diagnosis and treatment are so important. A new wave of technology companies is working to change the way we detect and manage bone health.
Here are five innovations that are helping bone care in the future.
Artificial intelligence that helps healthcare providers detect fractures faster
Artificial intelligence is improving the way healthcare providers (HCPs) interpret medical images. BoneViewdeveloped by medical imaging company Gleamer, it acts like a second set of eyes for radiologists reviewing X-rays.
AI software analyzes trauma X-rays in seconds and highlights potential fractures for HCPs to review.
This is important because people with osteoporosis or osteopenia may have small or subtle fractures, especially in the wrist, spine, ribs, or hips, that may be easy to miss on an X-ray. Rapid identification of these fractures can help HCPs recognize underlying bone loss earlier and initiate treatment to prevent future fractures.
Although BoneView does not screen for osteoporosis, it can help clinicians identify patients who may need a formal bone health assessment, such as a DEXA scan, after a fracture is detected.
Studies show that the software can reduce missed fractures by approx 30%speed up read times by 36%and properly rule out fractures 99.5% of the era.
For patients, this means faster diagnoses and fewer missed injuries. And for some women, it could be the first sign that their bones are becoming brittle.
Turning routine CT scans into bone health screenings
A CT scan (short for computed tomography) is an imaging test that uses X-rays to create detailed pictures of the inside of the body. HCPs often order CT scans to check the lungs, heart, abdomen, or other organs.
AutoBMD AI is software that can analyze CT scans and estimate bone mineral density at the same time. In other words, a scan ordered for something like chest pain or abdominal pain could also reveal whether someone might have osteopenia or osteoporosis.
The software looks at the spine on the scan and calculates how dense the bone is. It then creates the same type of score that HCPs use in traditional bone mineral density tests to determine if bone loss is present.
Because the analysis uses scans that patients already receive, HCPs can sometimes identify bone loss without scheduling a separate bone mineral density test. This type of screening is often called “opportunistic screening” because it takes advantage of medical images that already exist.
Early detection is critical. Many women don’t know they have osteoporosis until they have a fracture, so tools that detect bone loss earlier could help prevent future fractures.
A way to measure bone mineral density without radiation
(Photo/Courtesy Echolight)
For decades, the standard test for bone mineral density was the DEXA scan, which uses low-dose X-rays to measure bone mineral density.
But a company called Echolight inserts a new option. Its technology uses radiofrequency echography multispectroscopy (REMS), a form of ultrasound, to assess bone density and fracture risk.
Unlike traditional bone scans, REMS technology uses no radiation, can be performed in minutes, works in regular exam rooms and uses portable equipment.
This means that bone mineral density screening could eventually expand beyond radiology departments to primary care clinics, wellness centers and mobile health units.
Easier screening could help improve screening rates, especially for women who might otherwise miss a specialized imaging appointment.
Targeted drugs designed specifically for bone
(Photo/Courtesy of Skeletalis)
While many innovations focus on detection, scientists are also developing new treatments for osteoporosis.
He called a biotech company Skeleton is developing a targeted drug platform called OASIS (Osteoclast-Activated Skeletal Intervention System).
Current osteoporosis drugs can slow bone loss, but some treatments have side effects that limit long-term use or adherence.
The idea behind OASIS is to deliver the drug directly to areas where bone loss is actively occurring, while maintaining the body’s natural bone rebuilding process.
Rather than affecting the entire body, the treatment is designed to concentrate its effects on the skeleton, potentially reducing side effects while improving efficacy.
The company recently raised $8 million in funding to advance its first osteoporosis drug candidate into development. Although still in the early stages, technologies like this represent a shift toward precision medicine for bone health.
A portable device designed to slow bone loss
(Photo/Courtesy of Osteoboost)
One of the newest treatment approaches involves no medication at all.
Osteoboost is a portable belt that delivers precision vibration therapy to the body to treat osteopenia. The device was inspired by research originally developed by NASA to help astronauts maintain bone strength during long space missions.
The belt vibrates gently while you wear it for about 30 minutes a day, sending small mechanical signals through the frame. These signals stimulate bone cells and help slow bone loss.
In one 12 month clinical trial, Women who used Osteoboost at least three times a week experienced: 85% less spine bone loss, 83% less bone strength loss and 55% less hip bone loss compared to the control group.
The FDA has approved Osteoboost as a drug-free treatment for osteopenia in postmenopausal women, and it was named one of Time magazine’s best inventions of 2025.
Osteoboost is currently a prescription device that patients must pay for out of pocket. The device costs about $995 and is not yet covered by insurance, although it may be eligible for HSA or FSA reimbursement. Women need a prescription from a healthcare provider, but you can order the device online once your prescription is approved.
The future of bone health
For many women, bone health only becomes a concern after menopause, but experts say prevention and early diagnosis should start much earlier.
Innovations emerging today show how technology could transform bone care in the coming years: wearable devices that help maintain bone strength, artificial intelligence tools that detect fractures and osteoporosis earlier, wearable scans that facilitate screening, and targeted drugs designed specifically for bone biology.
Together, these advances could help more women protect their bones and avoid fractures that can dramatically affect mobility, independence and quality of life. Because when it comes to bone health, the best treatment is often to treat the problem before a break occurs.
Brittany Barreto, Ph.D., is a podcaster, entrepreneur, and molecular and human geneticist. (In other words, she’s really smart.) Read her column here every month to learn about what’s happening in the world of technology and innovation in women’s health.
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