Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine Ankara Hospital, Ankara, Turkey | [b] Ankara Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey | [c] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Yıldırım Beyazıt University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Hüma Bölük Şenlikci, Ankara Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Tel.: +90 3123103230; E-mail: humaboluk@gmail.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Distal radius fractures are the third most common fracture observed in osteoporotic patients. In addition, wrist muscle weakness may be a risk factor for such fractures because of the protective role these muscles play during falls. OBJECTIVE: The main objective was to explore isokinetic wrist muscle strength in osteoporotic and matched non-osteoporotic postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty osteoporotic postmenopausal women (patient group) and 15 healthy non-osteoporotic postmenopausal women with a normal DXA score (control group) were recruited. Bone mineral density was measured using a DXA device. Vertebral (L1–L4), femoral neck, and femoral total measurements were recorded. Wrist muscle strength was evaluated isokinetically. RESULTS: Peak moment values of the wrist flexors at 60 and 180∘/s were significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group. Extensor muscle strength did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Wrist flexors strength is lower in osteoporotic postmenopausal women than their non-osteoporotic counterparts. As this variation might be a risk factor for distal radius fractures in osteoporotic postmenopausal women, strengthening this muscle group should be seriously explored.
