Bone loss after stroke over 52 weeks at os calcis: influence of sex, mobility and relation to bone density at other sites.

Background: As life expectancy increases after stroke, skeletal consequences become increasingly important, and patients at risk of fracture require identification. We have investigated peripheral bone mineral density (BMD) measurement at the heel as a possible surrogate for hip dual energy X-ray absorptiometry measurement and we have related bone loss over 52 weeks to balance and mobility.

Methods: BMD at the heel (PIXI), proximal femur and whole body (QDR4500A), Tinetti (a measure of mobility and balance) and Barthel (a measure of activities of daily living) scores were measured in 52 patients (27 males and 25 females) within 8 weeks of stroke and repeated in 27 (15 males and 12 females) after 52 weeks.