Contralateral comparison of bone geometry, BMD and muscle function in the lower leg and forearm after stroke

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the side-to-side differences of the upper and lower limbs in chronic stroke patients by means of peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). Methods: Twenty-three subjects (12 males and 11 females) who had previously suffered a stroke were recruited. Bone parameters and muscle cross-sectional areas were measured by pQCT in the forearm and the lower leg on the paretic and non-paretic side. Muscle function tests included hand grip dynamometry and sit-to-stand on force plates. Results: Relative side-to-side differences in bone parameters at the radius were twice to three times the relative differences at the tibia. At the forearm the mu..