Osteoporosis and Spinal Cord Injury

Osteoporosis is a medical condition characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue. This increase in bone fragility increases the affiliated individual’s risk of life-threatening fractures of the hip, spine, and wrist and consequently affects mortality, morbidity, and related medical expenses (Conference Report, 1991; National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke, 2012). Deriving its origin from two Greek words osteon and poros meaning “bone” and “hole, passage” respectively, osteoporosis is fast becoming a national health concern in the United States (National Osteoporosis Foundation, n.d.). Prevalence data suggests there are an estimated 44 million individuals in the United States with osteoporosis, the majority of whom (55%) are aged 50 or over (National Institute of Health (NIH), 2012).