Femoral bone mineral density in hemiplegic men and its relation to functional performance

Abstract EN

Objectives : This study aimed at assessing the femoral bone mineral density (BMD) in hemiplegic men and exploring the relation between it and functional performance.

Subjects: 20 hemiplegic men (aged 40- 60 years without any other disorder that cause functional impairment) in addition to 10 healthy men of matching age.

Methods : (1)Measuring BMD (by DXA) of the upper femoral end in the patients and control subjects, (2) assessing lower limbs function in the patients by the Fugel- Meyer score (FM) (lower limb items) and (3) determining 10 meters walking time (10 m WT) (only in the patients).

Results : There was a significant decrease in BMD (at all examined sites) of the hemiplegic and non-hemiplegic sides compared to the BMD of the control men.

Also, there was a significant decrease in BMD of the hemiplegic side of patients compared to the non- hemiplegic side of patients at the trochanteric and intertrochanteric regions.

There was a significant correlation between trochanteric BMD of the hemiplegic side and either the FM score or the walking time.

There was a negative correlation between height and either total BMD or trochanteric BMD.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that the decreased activity of the hemiplegic lower limb would lead to decreased trochanteric BMD on the hemiplegic side.