Abstract: Methods of imaging bone provide diagnostic information relating to arthritic conditions by comparing the relative bone density in areas closer to and further removed from a potentially arthritic joint with similar relative bone densities indicative of arthritic condition such as rheumatoid arthritis. The joint may be metacarpal, finger or toe joint.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the status of bone tissue useful in the diagnosis of osteoporosis measuring a characteristic of ultrasound transmission through the calcaneus at a number of locations at an image forming degree of spatial resolution, deriving from said measurements information regarding the location of an approximately circular (as seen by measurements from the side) area of reduces attenuation in the calcaneus, optionally making further ultrasound measurements which reflect said bone tissue status, and evaluating said bone tissue status based on such said measurements and/or said further measurements at said location.

Abstract: Apparatus for bone densitometry of the wrist is programmed to acquire data from a trapezoidal area (12, 14) of the radius (10) or ulna (11) positioned close to the end plate of the bone avoiding the densely cortical area and extending beyond the turning points bone density measurements on this region of interest show increased responsiveness to biphosphonate and certain other treatment regimes. Other regions of interest may be selected for monitoring still further treatment regimes.