Article

Osteoporosis is a significant secondary condition that occurs acutely after
spinal cord injury (SCI). This article reports on a patient with motor incomplete
SCI and asymmetric lower-limb bone loss as it correlates with lower-limb motor
function and gait characteristics. A 32-year-old Caucasian male completed a
comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program, including 3 months of robotic
body-weight-supported treadmill training three times a week. Bone mineral density
(BMD) was monitored up to 1.5 years post-SCI by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
Ground reaction forces were measured through an instrumented treadmill for
bilateral weight-bearing comparison. At 1.5 years postinjury, neurological
examination revealed thoracic 4 American Spinal Injury Association Impairment
Scale D SCI with less strength, reduced weight bearing, and lower BMD in the more
neurologically impaired leg. These results suggest that osteoporosis may vary
according to severity of impairment within individuals and that monitoring
lower-limb BMD is especially important for patients who ambulate.

Langue : ANGLAIS