Osteoporosis following spinal cord injury

Abstract EN

Objective : To assess the extent of bone loss among 30 patients with Spinal Cord Injury at the Spinal Unit, King Hussein Medical Center.

Methods : A total of 30 patients with Spinal Cord Injury before one to 15 years and who completed their medical and rehabilitation program were included in this descriptive study during the period July 2003 to April 2010 at The Royal Jordanian Rehabilitation Center, King Hussein Medical Center.

There were 25 males and 5 females.

Bone Mineral Density was measured by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry in the lumbar spine and femoral neck, patients were diagnosed to have osteoporosis according to World Health Organization criteria and their fracture’s risk was described from this score using published data.

Their spinal injuries were classified according to American Spinal Injury Association Criteria, ranging from A-D.

Simple descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, percentage) were used to describe the study variables.

Results : Bone loss indicated by low bone mineral density revealed that femoral region is predominantly affected with relative preservation of the lumbar spine.

Abnormal bone mineral density values were detected in 80 % of patients.

A relation was noticed between the time following the injury and the degree of osteoporosis.

Individuals with complete injuries showed lower bone mineral density values than those with incomplete lesions.

Relation was found regarding their age and gender.

Conclusions : Spinal Cord Injury patients are at high risk of developing osteoporosis which can lead to significant morbidity, particularly lower extremity fractures without significant trauma.