Reversing Bone Loss After Spinal Cord Injury

Findings from a new study led by Research Associate Professor of Biological and Chemical Sciences Hesham Tawfeek, MBBCh, could help reverse severe bone loss caused by spinal cord injury (SCI).

SCI is a major trauma commonly caused by motor vehicle accidents, falls, stab wounds, gunshots, and explosions. One well-known instance of SCI is that of actor Christopher Reeve, who became paralyzed after sustaining a horseback riding injury. Many individuals with SCI experience lower limb paralysis, causing loss of normal weight-bearing and voluntary muscle contractions that occur during walking and are critical for bone health. As a result, individuals with SCI may lose up to 41 percent of bone mass within the first year, much more than the bone loss caused by prolonged bed rest or aging.

To further complicate matters, SCI bone loss does not respond to current therapies, increasing the risk of fractures even from minor trauma. In fact, people with SCI are up to 100 times more likely to sustain a lower limb fracture than the general population. Restoring bone structure would allow individuals to safely use walking aids and exoskeletal devices, improving their independence and quality of life.