Comparative Analysis of Bone Mineral Density between Wheelchair-bound versus Wheelchair Athletes with Spinal Cord Injury Using Quantitative Ultrasound
Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to a profound decrease in bone mineral density (BMD), particularly below the neurological level of injury. Substantial bone loss was observed within the first 6 months post-injury with a prevalence exceeding 80% in long-term follow-ups. The aim was to compa...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Indian Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ijpmr.ijpmr_39_24 |
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| Summary: | Background:
Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to a profound decrease in bone mineral density (BMD), particularly below the neurological level of injury. Substantial bone loss was observed within the first 6 months post-injury with a prevalence exceeding 80% in long-term follow-ups. The aim was to compare BMD in sedentary SCI patients with those involved in wheelchair sports.
Materials and Methods:
Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) assessment of bone mineral density in SCI patients was done using SONOST-2000 bone densitometer. A total of 39 SCI patients confirmed to inclusion criteria were divided into two groups: 11 wheelchair sports athletes (Group I) and 28 non-athletic patients (Group II). The QUS assessed BMD by measuring the t-score at the calcaneus of SCI patients.
Results:
Both groups showed significantly low t-scores, but no statistical difference in BMD was found between the athletic and non-athletic groups (P = 0.194). When loss of BMD was correlated with age irrespective of group, no significant correlation (P = 0.685) was observed across groups. The findings indicate that wheelchair athletes involved in upper-limb sports also have significant BMD loss and are at risk for osteoporosis and fractures.
Conclusion:
This study highlights the need for routine BMD screening for all SCI patients, including athletes, as part of rehabilitation management. QUS is presented as a cost-effective, accessible alternative to dual X-ray absorptiometry for mass screening of osteoporosis in SCI patients. |
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| ISSN: | 0973-2209 2949-8058 |