Upper Extremity Overuse Injuries and Obesity After Spinal Cord Injury

Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2021 · DOI: 10.46292/sci20-00061 · Published: January 1, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Endocrinology Orthopedics

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries can lead to obesity due to muscle paralysis and other factors. Obesity and increased weight place additional stress on the upper extremities, leading to overuse injuries. People with spinal cord injuries rely more on their upper bodies. This reliance, combined with extra weight, makes them more prone to shoulder, elbow, and wrist problems. This article reviews common upper extremity injuries in people with SCI, explaining how increased weight can worsen these injuries and affect their mobility and daily activities.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Persons with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Review of current literature

Key Findings

1
Obesity and increased weight are significant contributors to upper extremity overuse injuries in persons with SCI.
2
Shoulder pain is the most common source of musculoskeletal pain in persons with SCI, often due to overuse injuries.
3
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is more prevalent in wheelchair users with paraplegia than in the general population, with increased body weight being a risk factor.

Research Summary

Persons with SCI are at high risk for developing neurogenic obesity due to muscle paralysis and obligatory sarcopenia, sympathetic blunting, anabolic deficiency, and blunted satiety. Upper limb utilization for weight-bearing activities over many years challenges joints that are not designed primarily for that purpose, leading to musculoskeletal pain. Weight management is essential to minimize upper extremity overuse, in addition to wheelchair kinematics, transfers, weight shifts, and appropriate, balanced resistance training.

Practical Implications

Weight Management

Weight management programs should be an integral part of SCI rehabilitation to minimize upper extremity overuse injuries.

Ergonomic Interventions

Proper wheelchair fitting, transfer techniques, and weight shifting strategies can reduce stress on upper extremity joints.

Strengthening and Conditioning

Balanced resistance training can improve upper extremity strength and conditioning, helping to prevent overuse injuries.

Study Limitations

1
The literature demonstrating the relationship between obesity or body weight with upper extremity overuse is limited.
2
Prospective, randomized controlled trials are needed to optimize clinical recommendations and guidelines.
3
There is no established intervention to reduce obesity after SCI.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury