Bone density and risk management of physical therapy in bedridden aged patients

Abstract

The risk management of physical therapy for long-term bedridden elderly patients was examined from the point of view of bone density. The osteo sono-assessment index (OSI) of the heel was measured and compared between 33 long-term bedridden patients (bedridden group) and 29 femoral neck fracture patients (fracture group), all females over 70 years of age. The OSI of the bedridden group was significantly lower than that of the fracture group (p<0.001). When implementing a physical therapy program it is important that: 1) information concerning body weight (nutritional status), age and bedridden period should be collected beforehand; that 2) disuse atrophy and aging cause a remarkable drop in bone density should not be forgotten; and that 3) the dangers that falls and small external forces pose for easily causing fractures should be reconsidered.