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World J Gastroenterol 2020 May;26(20):2479-2497

Joint Veteran Center, Scientific Department, Army Medical Center, Rome 00184, Italy.

The aim of this review is to offer dietary advice for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and neurogenic bowel dysfunction. With this in mind, we consider health conditions that are dependent on the level of lesion including skeletal muscle atrophy, autonomic dysreflexia and neurogenic bladder. In addition, SCI is often associated with a sedentary lifestyle, which increases risk for osteoporosis and diseases associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, including cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases. Read More

Curr Osteoporos Rep 2020 Jun 9. Epub 2020 Jun 9.

Division of Pathology, IRCCS European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Milan, Italy.

Purpose Of Review: The goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of (i) bone and muscle tissue modifications pathophysiology in spinal cord injury (SCI), (ii) experimental data on the physiopathological mechanisms underpinning these modifications and their similarities with the aging process, and (iii) potential clinical implications in the management of the disabling sequelae of SCI.

Recent Findings: Several studies attempted to describe the biology underpinning the links between bone and muscle tissues in the setting of highly disabling conditions, such as osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and neurodegenerative disorders, although these bidirectional connections remain still unclear. SCI could be considered an in vivo paradigmatic model of the bone muscle interactions in unloading conditions that might be expanded in the field of neurodegenerative disorders or cancer studies. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2020 May;33(5):459-64

Department of Orthopaedics, Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital of Xiaoshan, Jiangnan Hospital, Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou 311201, Zhejiang, China.

Objective: To investigate the clinical outcome of single or double-segment pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) for the treatment of old thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fractures with kyphosis.

Methods: The clinical data of 26 patients with old thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fractures with kyphosis who underwent surgery from January 2015 to June 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 12 males and 14 females, aged from 58 to 72 years old with an average of 65. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2020 May 16;21(1):307. Epub 2020 May 16.

Department of Orthopedics, Ningbo NO.6 Hospital, 1059 Zhongsandong Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315040, People's Republic of China.

Background: Posterior occipitocervical fixation and fusion are often required to address occipitocervical instability. Safe, stable internal fixation with screws is vital for the success of such surgery. Thus, poor selection of an internal fixation technique may cause fixation and fusion failure, possibly leading to neurovascular injury. Read More

BMC Surg 2020 May 7;20(1):96. Epub 2020 May 7.

Department of Spine, Sichuan Orthopedic Hospital, No.132, the west 1st section of Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610041, China.

Background: Osteoporotic thoracolumbar burst fracture (OTLBF) is common in seniors. Due to the fracture of the posterior vertebra and spinal canal occupancy, the risk of cement leakage and spine injury is high in OTLBF patients, thus the application of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty is limited in these patients. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of the modified percutaneous kyphoplasty (MPKP) in the treatment of OTLBF. Read More

Curr Pharm Des 2020 May 4. Epub 2020 May 4.

Trauma & Orthopaedics Department, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province. China.

Background: The increased bone loss after spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with an increase in the morbidity and mortality of fragility fractures, which can constitute a substantial cost to health care systems. Bisphosphonates (BPs) are now the principal class of medications used for osteoporosis.

Objective: To demonstrate the effect of BPs on treating osteoporosis after SCI. Read More

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020 15;11:204. Epub 2020 Apr 15.

Division of Pathology, IEO - European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) represent a variety of conditions related to the damage of the spinal cord with consequent musculoskeletal repercussions. The bone and muscle tissues share several catabolic pathways that lead to variable degrees of disability in SCI patients. In this review article, we provide a comprehensive characterization of the available treatment options targeting the skeleton and the bone in the setting of SCI. Read More

Mediators Inflamm 2020 23;2020:6420425. Epub 2020 Mar 23.

Department of Orthopaedics, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730030, China.

Neuropathic pain is a serious clinical problem to be solved. This study is aimed at investigating protein kinase A (PKA) expression in neuropathic pain and its possible mechanisms of involvement. A neuropathic pain-related gene expression dataset was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus, and differentially expressed genes were screened using the R software. Read More

Curr Osteoporos Rep 2020 Jun;18(3):148-156

Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Purpose Of Review: The aim of this review is to gain a better understanding of osteoporotic fractures and the different mechanisms that are driven in the scenarios of bone disuse due to spinal cord injury and osteometabolic disorders due to diabetes.

Recent Findings: Despite major advances in understanding the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of osteoporosis, the high incidence of impaired fracture healing remains an important complication of bone loss, leading to marked impairment of the health of an individual and economic burden to the medical system. This review underlines several pathways leading to bone loss and increased risk for fractures. Read More

Expert Rev Med Devices 2020 Apr 3;17(4):357-364. Epub 2020 Mar 3.

Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.

: To compare the effects of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) or percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in treating Kümmell's disease (KD) patients.: This prospective cohort study involved 19 KD patients (20 involved vertebrae). The surgical selection was dependent on clinical stages and postural correction status. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2019 03 4;5(1):27. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Osteoporosis is a serious complication of spinal cord injury that is associated with increased fracture rates. Diagnosis and management of osteoporosis is limited by the lack of rigorous, well powered clinical trials with fracture as a primary outcome. Due to a lack of evidence-based guidelines, clinical practice varies greatly. Read More

Neural Regen Res 2020 Aug;15(8):1397-1407

Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) population with injury below T10 or injury to the cauda equina region is characterized by denervated muscles, extensive muscle atrophy, infiltration of intramuscular fat and formation of fibrous tissue. These morphological changes may put individuals with SCI at higher risk for developing other diseases such as various cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis. Currently, there is no available rehabilitation intervention to rescue the muscles or restore muscle size in SCI individuals with lower motor neuron denervation. Read More

Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2020 04 18;101(4):633-641. Epub 2020 Jan 18.

Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare, Edward J. Hines, Jr VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois; Public Health Sciences, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University, Maywood, Illinois.

Objective: To investigate the association between prescriptions for bisphosphonates; calcium and vitamin D supplements; and receipt of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) screening, and incident fracture risk in men and women with a spinal cord injury (SCI) or disorder (SCID).

Design: Propensity-matched case-control analyses.

Setting: United States Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. Read More

Osteoporos Int 2020 May 13;31(5):1007-1011. Epub 2020 Jan 13.

School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Many individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) rely on wheelchairs as their primary mode of locomotion leading to reduced weight-bearing on the lower extremities, which contributes to severe bone loss and increased risk of fragility fractures. Engaging in a walking program may reverse this vicious cycle, as this promotes lower extremity weight-bearing and mobility, which may reduce bone loss and fragility fracture risk. However, fragility fracture risk associated with the use of wearable robotic exoskeletons (WREs) in individuals with SCI needs consideration. Read More

Bone Rep 2020 Jun 29;12:100233. Epub 2019 Nov 29.

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wolfson Building, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NW, UK.

Micro-Computed Tomography bone analysis is the gold standard method for assessing trabecular and cortical bone microarchitecture in small animal bones. This technique reports morphometric parameters as averages over selected volumes of interest (VOIs). This study proposes the introduction of an additional global 2D morphometric step into the analysis process, that provides a survey of the underlying morphometric variation present throughout both trabecular and cortical bone. Read More

Clin Orthop Relat Res 2020 Mar;478(3):593-606

B. S. Baker, M. S. Stannard, D. L. Duren, J. L. Cook, J. P. Stannard, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA B. S. Baker, D. L. Duren, J. L. Cook, J. P. Stannard, Missouri Orthopedic Institute, Columbia, MO, USA M. S. Stannard, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA D. L. Duren, Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.

Background: Blood flow restriction (BFR) is a process of using inflatable cuffs to create vascular occlusion within a limb during exercise. The technique can stimulate muscle hypertrophy and improve physical function; however, most of these studies have enrolled healthy, young men with a focus on athletic performance. Furthermore, much of the information on BFR comes from studies with small samples sizes, limited follow-up time, and varied research designs resulting in greater design, selection, and sampling bias. Read More

J Spinal Cord Med 2019 Dec 20:1-7. Epub 2019 Dec 20.

Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia, USA.

Persons with spinal cord injuries (SCI) experience rapid sublesional bone loss following injury (1, 3). Evidence on preventing/managing osteoporosis in SCI is lacking. This project examined how providers manage bone loss in SCI. Read More

Front Pharmacol 2019 21;10:1364. Epub 2019 Nov 21.

The Second Department of Orthopedics, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, China.

Thiazide diuretics may improve bone mineral density. However, results are inconsistent for studies evaluating the association between thiazides and risk of osteoporotic fracture. We performed an updated meta-analysis of cohort studies to determine the association between thiazides use and fracture risk. Read More

J Neurosci Res 2020 May 4;98(5):843-868. Epub 2019 Dec 4.

Research Service, Malcom Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, FL, USA.

Loading and testosterone may influence musculoskeletal recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). Our objectives were to determine (a) the acute effects of bodyweight-supported treadmill training (TM) on hindlimb cancellous bone microstructure and muscle mass in adult rats after severe contusion SCI and (b) whether longer-term TM with adjuvant testosterone enanthate (TE) delivers musculoskeletal benefit. In Study 1, TM (40 min/day, 5 days/week, beginning 1 week postsurgery) did not prevent SCI-induced hindlimb cancellous bone loss after 3 weeks. Read More

Spinal Cord 2020 Apr 29;58(4):484-489. Epub 2019 Nov 29.

Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil.

Study Design: Retrospective study OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiological and clinical profile in a retrospective chart review of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and osteoporosis-related fractures.

Setting: A Brazilian rehabilitation hospital.

Methods: This is a retrospective chart review that included 325 individuals with SCI and osteoporosis-related fractures who were admitted to a Brazilian rehabilitation hospital between January 1997 and December 2017. Read More

Spinal Cord 2020 Apr 15;58(4):441-448. Epub 2019 Nov 15.

Department of Osteoporosis, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of chronic motor complete spinal cord injury (SCI) and sex on bone densitometry parameters of the hip, femoral neck, tibial epiphysis, and diaphysis and on long bone fractures.

Setting: SCI rehabilitation center. Read More

Asian Spine J 2020 Feb 5;14(1):97-105. Epub 2019 Nov 5.

Department of Biostatistics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.

Study Design: Prospective observational study.

Purpose: To evaluate bone turnover markers (BTMs) in individuals with acute spinal cord injury (SCI) and to compare the results with those of healthy controls and postmenopausal females.

Overview Of Literature: SCI significantly impacts bone health. Read More

JBMR Plus 2019 Sep 3;3(9):e10200. Epub 2019 Sep 3.

Department of Bioengineering Northeastern University Boston MA USA.

Disuse osteoporosis is a serious, secondary consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI). Numerous pharmacological and exercise therapies have been implemented to mitigate bone loss after SCI. However, these therapies have not been shown to improve bone density, potentially because of insufficient duration and magnitude of loading and/or inability of imaging modalities to capture changes in bone microarchitecture. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2019 4;5:27. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN USA.

Osteoporosis is a serious complication of spinal cord injury that is associated with increased fracture rates. Diagnosis and management of osteoporosis is limited by the lack of rigorous, well powered clinical trials with fracture as a primary outcome. Due to a lack of evidence-based guidelines, clinical practice varies greatly. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2019 27;5:25. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.

In persons with spinal cord injury (SCI), osteoporosis and associated fragility fractures are a prevalent phenomenon with clinically meaningful morbidity and mortality. Prevention of osteoporosis utilizing both physical modalities and pharmacological therapies is an area of high-clinical importance. In our perspective, the current body of research cannot provide clear guidance on prophylactic interventions to prevent osteoporosis specifically to stratify SCI subjects to their risk for fragility fractures. Read More

Physiol Rep 2019 10;7(19):e14225

National Center for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York.

Teriparatide and abaloparatide are parathyroid hormone receptor 1 (PTHR1) analogs with unexplained differential efficacy for the treatment of osteoporosis. Therefore, we compared the effects of abaloparatide and teriparatide on bone structure, turnover, and levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG). Wild-type (WT) female mice were injected daily with vehicle or 20-80 µg/kg/day of teriparatide or abaloparatide for 30 days. Read More

J Orthop Translat 2019 Jul 24;18:48-58. Epub 2018 Dec 24.

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5281, USA.

Background: Osteoporosis parallels aging and functional mechanical unloading (e.g., space flight and bed rest), jeopardizing mineral density, microstructure, and integrity of bone and leading to an increased risk of fracture. Read More

J Clin Densitom 2019 Oct - Dec;22(4):554-566. Epub 2019 Aug 3.

Neural Engineering and Therapeutics Team, KITE Research Institute - University Health Network, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes rapid osteoporosis that is most severe below the level of injury. More than half of those with motor complete SCI will experience an osteoporotic fracture at some point following their injury, with most fractures occurring at the distal femur and proximal tibia. These fractures have devastating consequences, including delayed union or nonunion, cellulitis, skin breakdown, lower extremity amputation, and premature death. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Jan 3;133:17-20. Epub 2019 Sep 3.

Department of Neurosurgery, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK.

Background: Systemic mastocytosis is a hematopoietic disorder of mast cell deposits in various systemic tissues that can include skin, spleen, liver, and bone marrow. When accumulation occurs within bone it has been reported to cause osteoporosis, osteosclerosis, or sometimes a mixed pattern. In exceptionally rare circumstances, it has been reported to present as an exophytic mass causing neural compression. Read More

Arch Esp Urol 2019 Sep;72(7):662-669

Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias. Grupo de Investigación en osteoporosis y metabolismo mineral. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. España. Hospital Universitario Insular. Unidad Metabólica Ósea. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. España.

Objectives: To describe the bladder management in spinal cord injury and to verify if the increase in the age of the patient who is suffering a spinal cord injury in recent years is conditioning a change in its treatment.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all acute traumatic spinal cord injured patients in Canary Islands between 2001-2015. Data were collected from the hospital records of a regional referral Spinal Cord Unit. Read More

Osteoporos Int 2019 Nov 13;30(11):2241-2248. Epub 2019 Aug 13.

Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Augusta, GA, USA.

An electronic health record (eHR) review of Veterans with a spinal cord injury and disorder (SCI/D) was conducted to understand the extent to which Veterans Affairs (VA) providers pursue workups for secondary causes of osteoporosis in this population. Laboratory tests for secondary causes were ordered in only one-third of Veterans, with secondary causes identified in two-thirds of those tested, most frequently, hypogonadism and hypovitaminosis D.

Purpose: To identify workups for secondary causes of osteoporosis in SCI/D and the extent to which subspecialty consultations are sought. Read More

J Clin Densitom 2019 Oct - Dec;22(4):453-471. Epub 2019 Jul 5.

Population Sciences in the Pacific Program, University of Hawai'i Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA.

To answer important questions in the fields of monitoring with densitometry, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry machine cross-calibration, monitoring, spinal cord injury, periprosthetic and orthopedic bone health, transgender medicine, and pediatric bone health, the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) held a Position Development Conference from March 20 to 23, 2019. Potential topics requiring guidance were solicited from ISCD members in 2017. Following that, a steering committee selected, prioritized, and grouped topics into Task Forces. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2019 Jul;32(7):641-646

Department of Orthopaedics, People's Hospital of Kaizhou, Chongqing 405400, China.

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of operative reduction and internal fixation in treating atypical unstable Hangman fracture in elderly osteoporotic patients.

Methods: The clinical data of 9 elderly osteoporotic patients with atypical unstable Hangman fracture treated from December 2012 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 5 males and 4 females with an average age of 72. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2019 Jul;32(7):604-608

Zhoushan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhoushan 316000, Zhejiang, China;

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of pneumatic reduction combined with bone-filled mesh bag implantation and pneumatic reduction combined with kyphoplasty in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fracture without spinal cord injury.

Methods: The clinical data of 160 patients with thoracolumbar osteoporotic burst fracture without spinal cord injury treated from January 2014 to July 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 66 males and 94 females, aged from 72 to 84 years old with an average of 76. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Nov 24;131:e284-e289. Epub 2019 Jul 24.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. Electronic address:

Background: To evaluate the clinical effect of kyphoplasty with the extrapedicular approach in the treatment of thoracic osteoporotic compression fractures, including upper, middle, and lower thoracic.

Methods: From April 2014 to December 2016, 50 cases (55 vertebrae) of thoracic osteoporotic fractures were treated with balloon kyphoplasty using the extrapedicular approach. Symptomatic levels ranged from T3 to T12 and were confirmed based on medical history, physical examination, and medical imaging. Read More

Bone 2019 10 24;127:612-619. Epub 2019 Jul 24.

Centre de Rééducation et Réadaptation Fonctionnelle La Châtaigneraie, Menucourt, France.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) induces an acute alteration in bone metabolism. Although the aetiology of the bone disturbances is not precisely known, immobilisation reduces mechanical loading and the morphology of osteocytes, which are the primary mechanosensors. Periostin and sclerostin are secreted mostly by osteocytes and are involved in bone's mechanical response. Read More

J Clin Densitom 2019 Jun 15. Epub 2019 Jun 15.

Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Augusta, GA, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, J. Harold Harrison, MD, Distinguished University Chair in Rheumatology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA. Electronic address:

Introduction: Medications for osteoporosis have not been reported to reduce fracture rates in patients with spinal cord injury and disorders (SCI/D), yet these medications are still prescribed. Clinical decision-making underscoring the initiation and discontinuation of osteoporosis medications in SCI/D remains poorly understood.

Methodology: Veterans with a SCI/D with at least one prescription for an osteoporosis medication (bisphosphonate, calcitonin, denosumab, raloxifene, and teriparatide) who received healthcare within Veterans Affairs (VA) from 2005 to 2015 were identified using VA administrative databases. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2019 27;5:24. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, General University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.

Spinal cord injury (SCI)-related osteoporosis is common complication in people with tetraplegia or paraplegia. Studies have shown that sublesional regions are severely demineralized. Loss of bone and sequential fractures are major problems in people with SCI that lead to further immobilization and decreasing quality of life. Read More

Spine J 2019 11 14;19(11):1871-1884. Epub 2019 Jun 14.

Orthopaedic Institute, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. Electronic address:

Background Context: Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is the most commonly used filling material when performing percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. However, there are some inherent and unavoidable drawbacks with the clinical use of PMMA. PMMA bone cement tends to leak during injection, which can lead to injury of the spinal nerves and spinal cord. Read More

Altern Ther Health Med 2019 Jun;25(S2):6-14

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an extensive endogenous signaling system with multiple elements, the number of which may be increasing as scientists continue to elucidate its role in human health and disease. The ECS is seemingly ubiquitous in animal species and is modulated by diet, sleep, exercise, stress, and a multitude of other factors, including exposure to phytocannabinoids, like Cannabidiol (CBD). Modulating the activity of this system may offer tremendous therapeutic promise for a diverse scope of diseases, ranging from mental health disorders, neurological and movement disorders, pain, autoimmune disease, spinal cord injury, cancer, cardiometabolic disease, stroke, TBI, osteoporosis, and others. Read More

JBMR Plus 2019 May 20;3(5):e10167. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Boston MA USA.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in rapid, severe osteoporosis and an increased risk of lower extremity fractures. Despite the medical complications associated with these fractures, there is no standard of care to prevent osteoporotic fractures following SCI. Functional electrical stimulation- (FES-) assisted rowing is a promising intervention to improve bone health in SCI because of its ability to generate a muscular contraction in conjunction with mechanical loading of the lower extremity long bones. Read More

Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2019 Aug;44(16):E957-E964

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.

Study Design: Case-control study.

Objective: To quantify risk factors for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) using a large nationwide cohort in Korea, a country with a high prevalence of OPLL.

Summary Of Background Data: OPLL is a pathological calcification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine. Read More

Spine J 2019 08 16;19(8):1331-1339. Epub 2019 Mar 16.

Department of Orthopaedics and Sport Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Avenue Seattle, WA 98104, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Ankylosing spinal disorder (ASD) patients are at a greater risk for spinal fractures due to osteoporosis and rigidity of the spinal column. These fractures are associated with a high risk of neurologic compromise resulting from delayed or missed diagnoses. Although computed tomography (CT) is usually the initial imaging modality, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been proposed as mandatory to help identify spinal injuries in ASD patients with unexplained neck or back pain or known injuries to help identify noncontiguous fractures. Read More

J Spinal Cord Med 2019 11 19;42(6):760-767. Epub 2019 Mar 19.

Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia, USA.

To describe frequency and predictors of use of pharmacological therapies for osteoporosis in persons with a spinal cord injury (SCI).: Retrospective cohort study. United States Veterans Health Administration (VA) national databases. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2019 16;5. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

1Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA.

Study Design: This study is a retrospective review examining the prevalence of drugs commonly used in the management of spinal cord injury (SCI) which may influence bone health.

Objective: The aim of our study was to examine the role commonly prescribed medications play in post-SCI bone health.

Setting: We included all males 21 years of age and older who were evaluated over a 10-year period at an SCI-specialized center for a trauma-induced SCI. Read More

J Clin Densitom 2019 Apr - Jun;22(2):185-194. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research & Development Service National Center for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Departments of Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.

Objective: The rate of areal bone mineral density (aBMD) loss at the knee (distal femur (DF) and proximal tibia ) and hip (femoral neck (FN) and total hip (TH)) was determined in persons with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) who were stratified into subgroups based on time since injury (TSI).

Design: Cross-sectional retrospective review.

Setting: Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Private Rehabilitation Hospital. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Mar 14;123:142-155. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Objective: Nanotechnology is a promising field with numerous applications across various branches of medicine. The unique innate physical, chemical, and biological properties of nanoparticles enable them to serve as appropriate agents performing diverse functions at cellular and subcellular levels. Spinal pathologies constitute one major field where its applications are being explored. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018 11 6;11:CD006349. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Monash Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Cabrini Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 4 Drysdale Street, Malvern, Victoria, Australia, 3144.

Background: Percutaneous vertebroplasty remains widely used to treat osteoporotic vertebral fractures although our 2015 Cochrane review did not support its role in routine practice.

Objectives: To update the available evidence of the benefits and harms of vertebroplasty for treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

Search Methods: We updated the search of CENTRAL, MEDLINE and Embase and trial registries to 15 November 2017. Read More