Osteoporosis is a significant secondary condition that occurs soon after acute spinal cord injury (SCI) and is directly related to the increased fracture risk seen in individuals with SCI. Further, the increased bone loss that eventually leads to osteoporosis, and which is characterized by heightened serum and urine calcium, may contribute to other secondary conditions, such as kidney stones and hypercalcemia.

In this project we have developed an intensive lower limb exercise program using functional electrical stimulation (FES) in adults with acute motor complete SCI. Twenty-six participants who are within 6 weeks of acquiring their spinal cord injury are randomly assigned to either a control group or an intervention group. The control group undergoes usual inpatient rehabilitation for their SCI. The intervention group undergoes usual impatient SCI rehabilitation, as well as have 1-hour of functional electrical stimulation (FES) to both legs 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Bone density and muscle thickness is monitored, and blood and urinary markers of bone loss are measured at study entry, 3 and 6 months post-SCI, and then changes over time are compared between both groups.

We propose that this program will slow the rate of bone loss through FES, thereby diminishing the development of osteoporosis.