Spinal cord repair research

The bone drug Fosamax (also called alendronate) given soon after spinal cord injury prevents bone loss associated with the injury, a study suggests.

People who've suffered spinal cord injury are at risk for rapid bone loss occurring below the level of the injury due to an increase in the harmful process of bone resorption as well as impaired bone formation, thereby predisposing them to osteoporosis and bone fractures.

In their study, Dr. Nigel L. Gilchrist, of The Princess Margaret Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand, and colleagues randomly assigned 31 spinal cord injury patients to Fosamax (70 milligrams per week) or placebo, within 10 days of injury, for 12 months.

The team measured bone mineral density (BMD) at various sites including the lumbar spine, hip, femoral neck (the area where thigh bone meets the hip) and total body at the start of treatment and at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months.

The researchers observed significant changes favoring the Fosamax group for five of six total body BMD measurements across 18 months.

In this study, write the authors, "preservation of BMD with alendronate was clearly demonstrated."

Whether such treatment prevents lower limb fractures in the longer term "remains to be investigated," they note.

Source - Reuters

To contact one of our specialist lawyers please call 0800 61 66 81, or use the contact details at the top left of this page.

 

Next Steps

Call our specialist lawyers, regardless of
your situation on 0800 61 66 81.

Do you have a question?

If you have a question about the information on this page
please > click here

Additional Information

Others in a similar position reviewed the following pages:

SIA Backup Spinal Research Spinal Injury Network
 
Ou most popular resourcesTo visit our most popular resources click here
Why choose our spinal lawyers > Spinal injury claims
Spinal injury services > Spinal injury law
Spinal injury case studies  > Spinal injury lawyers
Spinal video case studies > Spinal injury lawyers
Spinal Research Spinal Injury Association Spinal Injury Network Regain My Spine Apparelyzed Back up Trust Dogs for the disabled The Law Society SRA - Personal Injury Accredited Solicitors Regulation Authority Lexel - Law Society Back up Trust
Could cannabis relieve pain for spinal injury patients? Could cannabis relieve pain for spinal injury patients?
Spinal injury patients who suffer chronic pain may benefit from smoking cannabis, new research reveals.A study published...
Spinal injury swimmer walking again Spinal injury swimmer walking again
A 16-year-old swimming champion from Hawaii who suffered a spinal injury has checked out of his rehabilitation centre and...
Spinal cord injury sees firm fined £30k Spinal cord injury sees firm fined £30k
A Doncaster firm has been fined after one of its workers suffered a spinal cord injury that has left him paralysed from the...
US soldier spinal injury undertakes physical activity to aid recovery US soldier spinal injury undertakes physical activity to aid recovery
A US soldier has successfully overcome a spinal injury that prevented her from participating in any activities.Army Staff...
Child spinal injury a 'serious risk' if unrestrained in car crashes Child spinal injury a 'serious risk' if unrestrained in car crashes
Spinal injury is a serious risk among children who are not restrained properly in a car, new research has indicated. Use...