Researchers measured bone mineral content and bone mineral density in the left and right hips of 24 men who carried their cellphones in a belt pouch on their right hip for at least one year and 24 men who did not use cellphones. Mineral content and density are standard markers of bone strength.
The two groups of men had similar average hip bone mineral content/density measurements, but the men who carried cellphones on their right hip had lower mineral content in the right femoral neck, the area near the top of the thigh bone, the team reported.
Cellphone users also had reduced mineral content and density at the right trochanter, an area at the outside top of the thigh bone. Among cellphone users, the difference between the right and left trochanter was significantly associated with the total estimated hours carrying a cellphone on the right hip, said the researchers.