New Study May Reveal How Bones Will Be Affected by Spinal Cord Injury
According to a new study recently published in The Spine Journal, some bone biomarkers will undergo noticeable changes following chronic and traumatic spinal cord injuries. This can be of help in determining the severity of the spinal cord injury and the proper treatment for that injury, especially in patients who are otherwise young and healthy, such as those who have suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident.
Bone Biomarkers Key To Understanding Spinal Cord Injury
Researchers from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, led by Hadis Sabour, M.D., Ph.D., made the determination that some bone biomarkers change in patients with chronic spinal cord injuries. The researchers gathered their data from patients referred to the Brain and Spinal Injury Research Center who did not meet the exclusion criteria. The study utilized self-reporting measures including patient’s demographic features and information about their spinal cord injuries, including the date of the accident. Using spinal magnetic resonance imaging, physical examination, and blood analysis, the researchers were able to gather physiological data on the test subjects. The researchers also used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to determine the bone mineral density in femoral and spinal vertebrae bone sites.
According to the researchers, bone loss after spinal cord injury occurs “because of pathologic changes in osteoblastic and osteoclastic activities due to mechanical unloading.” The researchers also wrote that “our data also support this fact that although bone reduction after two years is slower than acute phase after SCI, bone resorption rate is higher than bone formation.” In conclusion, the researchers determined that the data from their study could aid in a better understanding of bone changes after a spinal cord injury, potentially leading to better treatment methods.
Suffering From a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries can be extremely devastating. Even minor spinal cord injuries can lead to chronic pain and suffering. Because spinal cord injuries are less well understood, medical science is not always able to aid those suffering from spinal cord injuries to make a full recovery. Because of the potentially devastating physical consequences of a spinal cord injury, many may find themselves in debt with high medical costs. They may also be unable to work and thus unable to earn an income.
If you or a loved one have suffered a spinal cord injury due to the negligence of another, it is important to know that the law provides for you to seek compensation for damages. As explained above, these damages can include physical injuries, medical costs, loss of income, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured through the poor decisions or reckless actions of another, seek help from the experienced personal injury lawyers at Gilleon Law Firm, APC in San Diego. With extensive knowledge and experience aiding those who have suffered from spinal cord injuries, the lawyers at Gilleon Law Firm, APC can help you build a personal injury case and fight for it. Call today for a free initial consultation.
