How to measure bone age

Bone age assessment is primarily performed by taking X-ray images of the wrist area. The following are general steps for determining bone age: 1. Taking X-ray images: Common imaging sites include the wrist, hand, and skull. During imaging, the patient should maintain the correct position as instructed by the physician. 2. Analyzing the images: A radiologist or specialized bone age assessment expert will carefully analyze the shape, size, and degree of closure of the epiphyses on the X-ray images. Each epiphysis has specific developmental stages corresponding to different age ranges. 3. Comparing with standard atlases: The obtained wrist X-ray images are compared with standardized bone age atlases to determine the corresponding bone age. 4. Determining bone age: Based on the developmental status of the epiphyses, an individual's biological age can be estimated, which may differ from their chronological age. Bone age assessment is particularly useful in children and adolescents for evaluating growth potential and sexual maturation. 5. Evaluation report: The physician will generate a report based on the bone age results, which may be used to assess a child's growth status, predict adult height, or serve as a diagnostic reference in certain medical conditions (such as precocious puberty or growth hormone-related issues).