Spasticity and Bone Density After a Spinal Cord Injury
J Rehabil Med 2009; 41: 1080–1084 ORIGINAL REPORT SPASTICITY AND BONE DENSITY AFTER A SPINAL CORD INJURY Inka Löfvenmark, RPT, MSc1, Lars Werhagen, MD, PhD1,2 and Cecilia Norrbrink, RPT, PhD2 From the 1Spinalis SCI Unit, Karolinska University Hospital and 2Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden Study design: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. to immobilization or disuse and to increased bone resorption Objective: To assess the relationship between spasticity and post-injury. The level of non-loading of the skeleton is related bone mineral density in the lower extremities in individuals to the degree of demineralization, and therefore it is mainly with a motor complete spinal cord injury. below the neurological level of injury that demineralization Methods: Eighteen individuals, matched for time since injury, will occur (1, 2, 4, 6). There are multiple causes that can af- gender, and age, were included in the study. Nine men had fect bone density; age, gender, menopause, heredity, ethnicity, severe spasticity, and 9 men had spasticity that was either body height and weight, physical activity, corticosteroid use, mild or not present. Comparisons regarding bone mineral calcium intake, smoking, and alcohol (9, 10). density were made using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Some authors have discussed whether bone loss in Regions of interest measured were total leg, pelvis, femoral wheelchair-users can be prevented through activities such as neck and total hip. Between-group differences regarding fat weight-bearing through passive standing in a standing frame/ and lean tissue were analysed. tilt board, passive bicycling, or other activities. Two studies Results: Background data, such as weight, height, standing (11, 12) showed that early interventions with passive weight- and exercising habits, smoking and alcohol use, were similar in both groups.
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