Unilateral hemiplegia after stroke has the higher prevalence of fractures on the paralyzed limb than on the nonparalyzed limb. The purpose of this study was to measure the degree of dimineralization in paralyzed limb and to correlate the degree of dimineralization and the rehabilitation program. The bone mineral content(BMC) and bone mineral density(BMD) were measured in both limbs of unilateral hemiplegic patients by dual photon absorptiometry. The BMC of the paralyzed limb was reduced by 13.51% and 7.52% in upper and lower limb, respectively. The change of BMC in hemiplegic limb turned out to be significantly correlated with the time of poststroke, onset time to tilting table standing and onset time to gait training. The BMC of upper limb had reverse correlation with Brunnstrom's stage. We concluded that the earlier rehabilitation program could reduce the dimineralization in paralyzed limb.
