Relates to damage to the spinal code. Injury to the spinal cord may cause loss of sensation and muscle weakness or paralysis. There are two types of classification, however, this depends on the extent and location of injury. Paraplegia is when legs or trunk are paralysed or quadriplegia is when both legs and trunk are paralysed.
Some characteristic changes on Body Composition in Spinal Cord Injury patients
- Increase in Fat Mass
- Reduce Lean Trunk Mass
- Changes in Water, Mineral and Protein
- Loss of Fat Free Mass
- Reduction in Total Body Water
- Decrease in Intracellular Water (associated with Body Cell Mass and Potassium)
- Increase in Extracellular Water symptomatic of oedema
- Loss of Body Cell Mass (BCM)
- Change in Body Composition
Monitoring Body Composition
Body Composition of Adults with Spinal Cord Injury changes, noticeable increase in Body Fat with reduction in Fat Free Mass and Body Cell Mass depending on the severity of injury. What was found Body Cell Mass and Body Mineral Density reduced more in quadriplegia group then in paraplegia. Paraplegia patients with prolonged Spinal Cord Injury had 12% less Body Cell Mass in the body compared to 30% in the legs.
Due to loss of Fat Free Mass and Muscle wasting it is likely that protein will also reduce. Potassium levels indicative of Body Cell Mass will reduce proportion depending on the period of injury.
This group of patients are at higher increase risk from cardiovascular disease and diabetes due to lack of activity and increase Fat Mass. Increasing the risk for Osteoporosis and fractures. Therefore assessing Body Composition of this group is important.
The routine use of Maltron Analysers as a screening tool could help identify these diseases at earlier stage helping implement effective treatment.