I Didn’t Know That...

Q: Pharmacies occasionally offer a screening for bone density, using a device that scans the heel bone. Is this test reliable?

A: Yes, according to the Mayo Clinic Health Letter. The device, called a bone sonometer, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration last year. It uses ultrasound to scan the heel bone and measure its density. The density of the heel bone, a weight-bearing one, is thought to give an accurate assessment of overall bone strength. The test is fast and painless and usually costs $30 to $40. If the results suggest that you are at risk for osteoporosis, you will be referred for a more definitive test--the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan of the hips and spine. It gives the most precise estimate of bone density.