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R Talla, M. Galea, L. Lythgo, T. Angeli, P. Eser:
"Contralateral comparison of bone geometry, BMD and muscle function in the lower leg and forearm after stroke";
Journal of Musculoskeletal & Neuronal Interactions, 4 (2011), 306 - 313.

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 muscle-bone relationship was stronger on the non-paretic than
the paretic side, while at the lower leg the muscle-bone relationship was similar on both sides. Conclusions: Side-to-side differences
in bone parameters were much smaller than differences between individuals, and bone mass deficits on the paretic side
were greater at the radius than at the tibia. Therapies to restore muscle force and function, which may also help to decrease the
risk of falls, are recommended.

Bone, Muscle, pQCT, Stroke, Hemiparesis