The importance of carrying a backpack in the rehabilitation of osteoporotic patients (biomechanical analysis)
Wendlova, J.
Bratislavske Lekarske Listy 112(1): 41-43
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0006-9248 PMID: 21452778 Document Number: 648439
Based on a simple biomechanical analysis available to physicians, the article recommends carrying a backpack regularly as a part of the complex rehabilitation of osteoporotic patients. Carrying a backpack in front or on the back is recommended to patients with uncomplicated osteoporosis, while carrying a backpack on the back only is recommended to patients with osteporotic vertebral fractures. The importance of carrying a backpack is based upon removing the muscular dysbalance of the trunk muscles and upon increasing the bone strength by compressive force acting upon the vertebrae and proximal femur and activating osteoblasts to enhance the process of osteoformation. The backpack load is differentiated--patients with vertebral fractures put a weight up to 1 kg into their backpacks, patients without vertebral fractures increase the load up to 2 kg (Fig. 2, Ref. 12).