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The Effects of Immobilization on Bone

  • Chapter
The Immobilized Patient

Part of the book series: Topics in Bone and Mineral Disorders ((TBMD))

Abstract

Accretion and resorption of the skeletal mass, especially of the lower part of the body, are maintained in equilibrium by the stimulus of weight bearing and activity. Immobilization, whether by prolonged recumbency, paralysis, or space-flight immobilization, leads to bone atrophy. Calcium released by the immobilized skeleton is excreted in the urine with resulting hypercalciuia ultimately reflecting the extent of bone loss. The excessive elimination of calcium salts in the urine also predisposes to nephrocalcinosis and nephrolithiasis, the latter representing a frequent complication of spinal-cord lesions. The deposition of calcium salts in soft tissues is another sequela of loss of calcium from the skeletal mass.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Washington University School of Medicine, USA

    Franz U. Steinberg M. D.

  2. The Jewish Hospital of St. Louis, USA

    Franz U. Steinberg M. D.

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  1. Franz U. Steinberg M. D.
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© 1980 Plenum Publishing Corporation

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Steinberg, F.U. (1980). The Effects of Immobilization on Bone. In: The Immobilized Patient. Topics in Bone and Mineral Disorders. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-3653-2_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-3653-2_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-3655-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-3653-2

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