Bone mineral content of the lumbar spine and lower extremities years after spinal cord lesion.

Bone mineral content (BMC) was measured by dual photon absorptiometry in the lumbar spine, femoral neck and shaft, and proximal tibia in 26 individuals with spinal cord lesions sustained 2 to 25 years previously. In average BMC of the lumbar spine was within the range of normal values. BMC of the femoral neck and shaft was in average 25% lower than the normal values, and for the proximal tibia more than 50% lower than the normal value. Participants with cervical lesions had lower BMC values in the femoral bones than those with thoracic lesions. Neither presence of spasticity nor daily use of long leg braces influenced the BMC significantly. Participants with previous lower extremity fractures had lower BMC values in the long bones compared with participants without fractures. The preservation of the BMC of the lumbar spine may be due to maintenance of load on the spine while sitting in a wheelchair.