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Spinal-Injury.net :
Spinal Cord Injury - Osteoporosis + Fractures
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The majority of people with SCI develop osteoporosis.
In people without SCI, the bones are kept strong
through regular muscle activity or by bearing weight.
When muscle activity is decreased or eliminated
and the legs no longer bear the body's weight, they
begin to lose calcium and phosphorus and become
weak and brittle. It generally takes some time for
osteoporosis to occur. In people who use standing
frames or braces, osteoporosis is less of a problem.
Generally, though, 2-t years following SCI some
degree of bone loss will occur. Using the legs to
provide support in transferring is helpful in increasing
the load on the bones, which may reduce or slow
down the osteoporotic process. Standing using a
standing frame or a standing table also helps prevent
weakening of the bones and so does using braces
for functional or parallel bar walking. Newer techniques,
such as electrical stimulation of the leg muscles,
may decrease osteoporosis as well.
Unfortunately, at the present time, there is no
way to reverse osteoporosis once it has occurred.
The main risk of osteoporosis is fracture. Once
the bones become brittle, they fracture easily.
An osteoporotic bone takes much longer to heal.
Fractures are also a potential problem to the newly
injured person often caused by inappropriate handling
of their limbs post injury too.
Skin Breakdown
pneumonia
Osteoporosis and Fractures
Heterotopic
Ossification
Spasticity
Urinary
Tract Infections
Autonomic Dysreflexia
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Pulmonary Embolism
Orthostatic
Hypotension
Cardiovascular
Disease
Syringomyelia
Neuropathic / Spinal Cord
Pain
Medication Problems
Hyperthermia
Hypothermia
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Spinal-Injury.net :
Spinal Cord Injury - Osteoporosis + Fractures
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