Modified calcaneal index: a new screening tool for osteoporosis based on plain radiographs of the calcaneum.

Purposes: To assess osteoporosis using plain radiography of the calcaneum by studying the performance characteristics of the modified calcaneal index through inter- and intra-observer agreement. To study the correlation of the modified calcaneal index to quantitative ultrasound of the calcaneus and bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck and distal radius.

Methods: Lateral calcaneal radiographs of 252 women who participated in a clinical trial for osteoporosis were reviewed.