OBJECTIVE:
Our aim is to compare the ionized calcium levels between hemiplegic and normal upper limb and to investigate the relationship between forearm pain and ionized calcium levels.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
24 stroke patients were included in this study. All of them have spontaneous or evoked forearm pain. Ionized serum calcium levels were analysed in both arms by taking blood from both arms at the same time. Additionally, bone minaral density of both radius were detected. Forearm pains of patients were evaluated with VAS.
RESULTS:
12 patients were men and others were women. Mean age was 54.33±14.21 years. Serum ionized calcium levels in the hemiplegic side of left hemiplegic patients were significantly less than the levels in right hemiplegic patients. While no correlation was detected between pain and serum ionized calcium levels, negative correlation was detected between radius bone mineral density values and pain levels.
CONCLUSION:
Existence of neuromuscular disorders would be possible when there are changes in amount of active form of calcium. Neuropathic features of hemiplegic forearm pain suggest that decreased calcium levels may increase the intensity of pain which is related to bone mineral loss.
Keywords: Stroke, calcium, pain, bone mineral density
