Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2008 , Vol 54 , Num 2

Hypercalcemia, Osteoporosis and Heterotopic Ossification in Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury

Kadriye ÖNEŞ 1
1 Clinic of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, İstanbul Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey

The loss of mobility as a result of a spinal cord injury leads to secondary complications that affect muscle and bone. After spinal cord injury, there is an uncoupling between the rates of bone formation and reabsorption and a loss of muscle and gravitational stresses, which leads to reduced bone mass. The effects of spinal cord injury on bone mass in children is of particular interest because, not only is there potential bone loss due to the same mechanisms as those observed in adults with spinal cord injury, but there is also a lack of activity during a period of their life where exercise is essential for optimal bone health. Children and adolescents with acute spinal cord injury may be particularly susceptible to hypercalcemia because of preexisting rapid bone turnover and elevated bone resorption. Bone mineral loss and hypercalcemia should be minimized by encouraging weightbearing with orthotics.

Keywords : Pediatric spinal cord injury, hypercalcemia, osteoporosis, heterotopic ossificatio