In recent years, numerous studies have examined the relative bone density values of residual limbs following amputation, comparing these against the values of the sound-side limbs or those observed in matched controls. With only rare, individual exceptions, the density values of the amputated limbs are consistently below those of controls.
Does Amputation Level Matter?
The answer to this question depends on who you ask. The observations of Smith et al. suggest that amputation level has no effect on BMD values at either the femoral neck or the total proximal femur.The observations from …

Image by Kingdafy via Flickr

A Virginia man has filed a $1 million lawsuit against a local PetSmart, claiming he slipped and fell on a pile of feces in the store. Robert Holloway accuses the manager and store employees of failing to create a safe environment for customers in the store. He claims in his lawsuit that the fall injured his back and head and knocked out four of his teeth.  Staff Report, The Washington Post 04/01/2010 Read Article: …

Image by jypsygen via Flickr

Traditionally vitamin D has been recommended with respect to preventing osteoporosis, reasoning that improving the absorption of calcium improves bone strength making them less likely to fracture, should there be a fall.  Thereafter it was discovered that vitamin D has direct effects on muscle strength.  Severe vitamin D deficiency (as one might see in those nursing home residents who do not eat well and are virtually never in the sun) can present as muscle weakness and pain which resolves with vitamin D supplementation.  
Several early trials examining …

Image by kevindooley via Flickr

I had a workers compensation case not long ago in which an older lady (Ms. “S”) fell at her job as a waitress and suffered a tibial plateau fracture.  The fracture healed, but she required a very lengthy healing period primarily because she was fearful of falling again.  Ms. “S” continued to use a walker long after she was told to discontinue this.  She even took it upon herself to move to a cane before discontinuing the walker as directed.  Returning her to the work environment …