My doctor has expressed  concern about this to me, also, especially since I
fell and broke my tibia four years ago.  I'm in a wheelchair now, and am
getting less exercise which exacerbates the problem.  It's a vicious cycle.

        Kathy S.

----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2001 1:18 AM
Subject: Bone density issues


> Hi,
>
> We CP'ers are at a higher risk for osteoporosis and arthritis than the
> general population because we are not as mobile as TAB's are. Those of us
who
> are not able to bear weight, run the risk of thinning bones much sooner
than
> those who do. Bearing weight and being active in doing various types of
> exercise like walking helps our bones build density.
>
> Having abnormal muscle tone in general means that we use our bodies in
ways
> that the TAB's don't and with all of the stories of people being in their
> 30's and 40's and having HUGE problems with decrease in ability to be
mobile,
> and increase pain and using meds to help us deal with pain, this may be
> another reason why we are facing these problems earlier than the general
> population as well.
>
> There's also speculation that spending time in casts and not weight
bearing
> also affects us years later by having bones that are much more porous than
> the average person which leads to early arthritis and other problems.
Another
> possibility could be because where we did have surgery leads to less
> circulation in those areas because of damage to the muscles from the
surgery
> and lengthenings, transfers and bone derotations. On the other hand, there
> are those that do not have their dislocated hips done and they don't have
> sockets after a while. Again this is because they don't bear weight and
they
> don't form properly in the first place.
>
> So a number of possible factors are at work here. I did ask to go for one
of
> these bone density tests earlier this year, but have to do it through my
> regular family practice doctor as opposed to the ortho. So one of these
days,
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Dina