Preventing bone breakages

Scientists have developed a technique which can be used to reveal the strength of bones, allowing doctors to more accurately estimate the risk of bone fracture.

According to research published online in the Journal of Bone Mineral Research, scientists have developed a laser imaging technique which can more fully assess the strength of bones, a technique the scientists hope can be used to predict the likelihood of young women developing osteoporosis in later life.

Dr Edward Draper of Imperial College London and the Royal Veterinary College, and lead researcher, said: "Traditionally, the only way to predict bone strength has been through X-rays, but these can only measure part of the strength of the bone. Using this new technique we can get a more complete measurement, allowing us to predict better the risk of fractures as a result of osteoporosis."

Although X-rays can be used to measure bone strength, they can only be used to measure bone mineral density, which only accounts for part of the strength. The new Raman spectroscopic technique allows scientists to measure the collagen, which also affects bone strength by eliminating the spectral components of overlying tissues.