Who is at risk for osteoporosis and fractures after SCI?
Author: SCIRE Community Team | Reviewer: B. Catharine Craven | Published: 11 October 2017 | Updated: 14 March 2019
Fragility fractures are very common after SCI. Individuals with these risk factors are more likely to experience a fracture after SCI. if you have more than 3 of the following fracture risk factors, please discuss them with your health care team.
Risk factors for fractures after SCI:
Women
Have a motor complete SCI (AIS A or AIS B, no movement of the legs)
Paraplegia
SCI for more than 10 years
People less than 16 years of age at the time of the SCI onset
People who consume more than 5 servings of alcohol per day
Long term use of medications; specifically, anticonvulsants, heparin, or opioid medications
Low weight for one’s height (a Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 19)
Low knee region bone mineral density
Prior fragility fracture
Family history of fracture