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Proceedings for a Webinar on Aging with Spinal Cord Injury: Opening a Conversation
Michael Stillman1,2, Kim Anderson-Erisman3, Leslie R Morse4
1Department of Internal Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
|August 12, 2026
Summary
People with spinal cord injury (SCI) are living longer, but their unique aging experiences and complex health challenges require further study. This research highlights key concerns in bone health, pain, blood pressure, and bladder management for aging with SCI.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Gerontology
- Neurology
Background:
- Life expectancy for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) has significantly increased between 1940 and 2010.
- Existing literature primarily focuses on co-occurring conditions rather than the subjective experience of aging with SCI.
- There is a knowledge gap regarding the complex health challenges and evolving management of conditions over time in individuals with long-standing SCI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the medical challenges and lived experiences of aging with spinal cord injury (SCI).
- To identify and summarize key concerns and questions from individuals with SCI regarding aging.
- To propose future research directions based on community-identified needs.
Main Methods:
- A community-focused, peer-led virtual conference was convened via Zoom.
- Discussions centered on specific health topics relevant to aging with SCI: bone health, chronic pain, blood pressure management, and neurogenic bladder.
- Invited speakers presented cases, and a moderator facilitated attendee discussions.
Main Results:
- The conference highlighted significant concerns regarding bone health, chronic pain, blood pressure regulation, and neurogenic bladder in the context of aging with SCI.
- Attendee discussions revealed a need for better understanding of how these conditions present and are managed over extended periods post-injury.
- Key questions and areas for future investigation were identified by the SCI community.
Conclusions:
- Aging with spinal cord injury (SCI) presents unique and complex health challenges that are not fully captured by current research.
- Community-driven discussions are crucial for identifying unmet needs and guiding future research in SCI aging.
- Further investigation is warranted to address the specific concerns related to bone health, chronic pain, cardiovascular health, and bladder management in the aging SCI population.
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