The effect of limping on vertebral bone density: a study of children with tarsal coalition.

To determine whether limping is associated with decreased bone mineralization, the trabecular and integral bone densities (BDs) of 18 Caucasian children exhibiting computed tomographic evidence of tarsal coalition (14 boys, 4 girls, aged 9 years, 5 months to 16 years, 3 months) were compared with those of an age- and sex-matched control group. Patients with tarsal coalition had significantly lower trabecular (p less than 0.05) and integral (p less than 0.05) BD than controls. Trabecular spinal density was approximately 17% lower on the average in patients with tarsal coalition. Among the limping patients, neither the duration of symptoms nor bilaterality was associated with decreased BD. The findings suggest that painful tarsal coalition may decrease vertebral bone mass and predispose to spinal osteoporosis.