Alterations of bone mineral density of the femurs in hemiplegia

We evaluated the bone mineral density (BMD) of the bilateral femurs in 112 patients with hemiplegia using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in order to elucidate the effect of disuse and immobilization. BMD of the paretic side was significantly reduced compared with that of the nonparetic side in hemiplegic patients (femoral neck 0.582±0.014 g/cm² versus 0.623±0.014 g/cm² and total femur 0.645±0.02 g/cm² versus 0.702±0.017 g/cm²; mean±SEM, P<0.01, respectively). Femoral BMD in both the paretic and nonparetic limb had significantly (P<0.01) lower values than in age- and sex-matched controls, but the paretic side had a more significant reduction of BMD; femoral neck-20% versus -14% and total femur -24% versus -18%. In addition, patients with impaired activities of daily living (ADL), evaluated by a mobility score, had significantly decreased BMD ratios of paretic/nonparetic side than patients with improved ADL (femoral neck 91% versus 97%, P<0.01 and total femur 89% versus 94%, P<0.05). Our results indicated that BMD of both femurs of patients with hemiplegia was reduced, although the paretic side showed a greater BMD decrease. This decrease might be prevented or reduced by improvement of ADL.