A new one-minute test can tell a woman whether she is at risk for developing osteoporosis, the painful and crippling bone disease.

The new test, which measures the bone mass in the heel of the foot, will be offered at South Miami Hospital’s Center for Women’s Medicine, S. Dixie Highway (US 1) and SW 62nd Avenue, on Saturday, May 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $10, with $5 going directly to the local chapter of the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

The new screening device uses ultrasound to determine bone density. During the screening, the patient puts her bare foot in the small machine, and sound waves are transmitted through the heel. There is no pain. The entire test takes about one minute to complete.

A doctor uses the test results from the new equipment, along with the patient’s symptoms (if any) and risk factors for developing osteoporosis, to determine if further, more extensive testing or therapy is needed. Traditional osteoporosis detection methods involve x-ray radiation and typically measure bone density of the hip, spine, forearm or heel.

Osteoporosis is a condition of the decreased bone mass which leads to fragile bones and increased risk for fracture. It affects about 23 million American women, 75 percent of whom don’t know they have the disease, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. While men can develop osteoporosis, it primarily affects women.

Your chances of developing osteoporosis are greater if you answer "yes" to any of the following questions provided by the National Osteoporosis Foundation:

• Are you light skinned?

• Thin or small framed?

• Approaching or past menopause?

• Milk intolerant or have a low calcium intake?

• A cigarette smoker or drink alcohol in excess?

• Taking thyroid medication or steroid-based drugs?

• Have a family history of osteoporosis, a sedentary lifestyle or chronic intestinal disorder?

Appointments are required. To register for the screening, call 305-412-2930.