Bones are living tissue. They constantly break down and rebuild throughout our lives. But for many women, especially after menopause, this balance changes. Bone breaks down faster than the body can rebuild it.
Over time, bones become weaker and more fragile, a condition called osteoporosis, which increases the risk of fractures in the spine, hips and wrists. A less severe stage called osteopenia means bone density is already lower than normal and may progress to osteoporosis if nothing changes.
Osteoporosis is extremely common. More than 10 million adults in the United States have the condition, and about 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 speeds up dramatically. Women can lose up to 20% of their bone density in the years surrounding menopause.
Despite how common it is, osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease.” Many people don’t know they have it until a bone breaks.
And even though screening can catch bone loss early, many women aren’t getting tested. Experts recommend routine screening for women starting at age 65, or earlier for those 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’s a quick, 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.
But DEXA scans require a separate appointment at a specialized imaging center, and many women either don’t realize they need one or are not referred in time.
That’s why better tools for screening, diagnosis and treatment are so important. A new wave of technology companies is working to change how we detect and manage bone health.
Here are five innovations helping move bone care into the future.
AI that helps healthcare providers spot fractures faster
Artificial intelligence is improving how healthcare providers (HCPs) interpret medical images. BoneView, developed by the medical imaging company Gleamer, acts like a second set of eyes for radiologists reviewing X-rays.
The AI software analyzes trauma X-rays in seconds and highlights possible fractures for HCPs to review.
This matters because people with osteoporosis or osteopenia can experience small or subtle fractures, especially in the wrist, spine, ribs or hips, that may be easy to miss on an X-ray. Detecting these fractures quickly can help HCPs recognize underlying bone loss earlier and start treatment to prevent future breaks.
While BoneView does not screen for osteoporosis, it can help clinicians identify patients who may need a formal bone health evaluation, such as a DEXA scan, after a fracture is detected.
Studies show that the software can reduce missed fractures by about 30%, speed up reading times by 36%, and correctly rule out fractures 99.5% of the time.
For patients, that means faster diagnoses and fewer missed injuries. And for some women, it could be the first clue that their bones are becoming fragile.
Turning everyday 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 density simultaneously. In other words, a scan ordered for something like chest pain or abdominal pain could also reveal whether someone may have 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 HCPs use in traditional bone density tests to determine whether bone loss is present.
Because the analysis uses scans patients are already receiving, HCPs can sometimes identify bone loss without scheduling a separate bone 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 experience a fracture, which is why tools that identify bone loss sooner could help prevent future breaks.
A radiation-free way to measure bone density
(Photo/Courtesy Echolight)
For decades, the standard test for bone density 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 echographic multi spectrometry (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 bone density testing could eventually expand beyond radiology departments into primary care clinics, wellness centers and mobile health units.
Easier testing could help improve screening rates, especially for women who might otherwise skip a specialized imaging appointment.
Targeted medicines designed specifically for bone
(Photo/Courtesy 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 medicine directly to areas where bone loss is actively happening, while preserving the body’s natural bone remodeling process.
Instead of affecting the entire body, the therapy is designed to concentrate its effects in the skeleton, potentially reducing side effects while improving effectiveness.
The company recently raised $8 million in funding to advance its first osteoporosis drug candidate into development. Although still in early stages, technologies like this represent a shift toward precision medicine for bone health.
A wearable device designed to slow bone loss
(Photo/Courtesy Osteoboost)
One of the newest treatment approaches doesn’t involve medication at all.
Osteoboost is a wearable 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 gently vibrates while you wear it for about 30 minutes a day, sending small mechanical signals through 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 spine bone density loss, 83% less loss of bone strength and 55% less hip bone density loss compared with the control group.
The FDA cleared Osteoboost as a drug-free prescription 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 becomes a concern only after menopause, but experts say prevention and early detection should start much sooner.
The innovations emerging today show how technology could transform bone care in the coming years: wWearable devices that help maintain bone strength, AI tools that detect fractures and osteoporosis earlier, portable scans that make screening easier and targeted medicines designed specifically for bone biology.
Together, these advances could help more women protect their bones and avoid the fractures that can dramatically affect mobility, independence and quality of life. Because when it comes to bone health, the best treatment is often catching the problem before a break ever happens.
Brittany Barreto, Ph.D., is a podcaster, an entrepreneur, and a molecular and human geneticist. (In other words, she’s really smart.) Read her column here each month to learn about what’s happening in the world of technology and innovation in women’s health.
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