Bones are living tissue. They constantly break down and rebuild themselves throughout our lives. But for many women, especially after menopause, this balance changes. Bones are broken down faster than the body can rebuild them.
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 bone density is already lower than normal and can lead to osteoporosis if nothing changes.
Osteoporosis is very common. More than 10 million adults in the United States suffer from this disease, and about 4 out of 5 of them are women. An additional 40 million-plus people suffer from 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 surrounding menopause.
Despite its prevalence, osteoporosis is often referred to as a “silent disease.” Many people only notice when a bone breaks.
And although bone loss can be detected early through screening, many women do not get tested. Experts recommend routine screening for women starting at age 65 or earlier for women 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 rapid, low-dose imaging test that measures bone density, usually at the hip and spine, to determine whether someone has normal bone density, osteopenia, or osteoporosis.
However, DEXA scans require a separate appointment at a specialized imaging center, and many women either don’t know they need one or aren’t referred in a timely manner.
That’s why better tools for screening, diagnosis and treatment are so important. A new wave of technology companies are working to change the way we detect and manage bone health.
Here are five innovations that are helping move bone care into the future.
AI that helps healthcare providers detect fractures faster
Artificial intelligence is improving the way healthcare providers (HCPs) interpret medical images. BoneView, developed by medical imaging company Gleamer, acts like a second pair of eyes for radiologists reviewing x-rays.
The AI software analyzes trauma X-rays in seconds and highlights possible fractures for medical professionals to review.
This is important because people with osteoporosis or osteopenia can suffer small or subtle fractures, especially of the wrist, spine, ribs, or hip, which are easy to miss on an X-ray. Detecting these fractures quickly can help doctors identify underlying bone loss earlier and begin treatment to prevent future fractures.
While BoneView does not screen for osteoporosis, it can help doctors identify patients who may need a formal bone health assessment after a fracture is discovered, such as: B. a DEXA scan.
Studies show that the software can reduce missed fractures by approximately 30%, shorten diagnosis time by 36%, and correctly rule out fractures in 99.5% of cases.
For patients, this means faster diagnoses and fewer overlooked injuries. And for some women, it could be the first sign that their bones are becoming brittle.
Turn everyday CT scans into bone health exams
A CT scan (short for computed tomography) is an imaging test that uses X-rays to create detailed images of the inside of the body. HCPs often order CT scans to examine the lungs, heart, abdomen, or other organs.
AutoBMD AI is software that can analyze CT scans while estimating bone density. In other words, a scan ordered for chest or abdominal pain, for example, could also reveal whether someone may be suffering from osteopenia or osteoporosis.
The software looks at the spine in the scan and calculates how dense the bone is. It then generates the same type of score that HCPs use in traditional bone density tests to determine whether bone loss is present.
Because the analysis uses scans that patients have already received, healthcare professionals can sometimes detect bone loss without scheduling a separate bone density test. This type of screening is often referred to as “opportunistic screening” because it takes advantage of existing medical images.
Early detection is crucial. Many women don’t know they have osteoporosis until they suffer a fracture. Therefore, tools that detect bone loss earlier could help prevent future fractures.
A radiation-free method for measuring bone density
(Photo/Courtesy of Echolight)
The standard test for bone density for decades has been the DEXA scan, which uses low-dose X-rays to measure bone mineral density.
But a company called Echolight is introducing a new option. Its technology uses radiofrequency echography multispectrometry (REMS), a form of ultrasound, to assess bone density and fracture risk.
Unlike traditional bone scans, REMS technology requires no radiation, can be performed in minutes, works in regular exam rooms, and uses portable devices.
This means that bone density testing could eventually expand beyond radiology departments to primary care clinics, wellness centers and mobile health units.
Easier tests could help improve screening rates, especially for women who might otherwise miss a dedicated imaging appointment.
Targeted medications specifically designed for the bones
(Photo/Courtesy of Skeletalis)
While many innovations focus on detection, scientists are also developing new treatments for osteoporosis.
A biotech company called Skeletalis is developing a targeted drug platform called OASIS (Osteoclast-Activated Skeletal Intervention System).
Today’s osteoporosis medications can slow bone loss, but some treatments have side effects that limit long-term use or adherence.
The idea behind OASIS is to deliver medication directly to areas where bone loss is actively occurring, while maintaining the body’s natural bone remodeling process.
Rather than affecting the entire body, the therapy is designed to concentrate its effects on the skeleton, potentially reducing side effects while improving effectiveness.
The company recently raised $8 million in funding to advance development of its first osteoporosis drug candidate. Although still in their early stages, technologies like these represent a shift toward precision medicine for bone health.
A wearable device designed to slow bone loss
(Photo/Courtesy of Osteoboost)
One of the newest treatment approaches requires no medication at all.
Osteoboost is a wearable belt that delivers precise 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 as you wear it for about 30 minutes a day, sending small mechanical signals throughout the skeleton. These signals stimulate bone cells and help slow bone loss.
In a 12-month clinical trial, women who used Osteoboost at least three times per week experienced 85% less loss of spine bone density, 83% less loss of bone strength, and 55% less loss of hip bone density compared to the control group.
The FDA has approved Osteoboost as a drug-free prescription treatment for osteopenia in postmenopausal women, and it was named one of the best inventions of 2025 by Time Magazine.
Osteoboost is currently a prescription device that patients must pay out of pocket. The device costs about $995 and is not yet insured, 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 problem after menopause, but experts say prevention and early detection should start much earlier.
Innovations emerging today show how technology could transform bone care in the years to come: wearable devices that help maintain bone strength, AI tools that detect fractures and osteoporosis earlier, portable scans that make screening easier, and targeted medications designed specifically for bone biology.
Together, these advances could help more women protect their bones and avoid fractures, which can dramatically impact their mobility, independence and quality of life. Because when it comes to bone health, the best treatment is often identifying the problem before a fracture even 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 each month to find out what’s happening in the world of women’s health technology and innovation.
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