Improved bone imaging after nerve repair and rehabilitation
Imaging Strategies to Evaluate Bone Health After Nerve Injury Repair and Rehabilitation
Trying new imaging methods to find and track bone weakening in people recovering from nerve injuries after repair and rehabilitation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA San Diego Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11316997 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
I have a nerve injury and the research team will use advanced scans beyond standard DEXA to look at how my bones change after nerve repair and during rehabilitation. They will compare different imaging methods, including CT-based techniques and X-ray approaches, to measure bone density, structure, marrow, and blood-vessel related signs. The project will follow patients over time to see how bone health evolves after nerve injury and which scans show the clearest changes. Results may point to better ways to monitor and protect bone strength during recovery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with peripheral nerve injuries or spinal cord injury-related nerve damage who have had or are undergoing nerve repair and rehabilitation.
Not a fit: People without nerve injuries or whose bone issues come from unrelated conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors detect bone loss earlier after nerve injury so patients can get treatments to prevent fractures and other complications.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows advanced CT-based imaging can reveal bone structure changes that DEXA misses, but applying these methods specifically after nerve repair is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
San Diego, United States
- VA San Diego Healthcare System — San Diego, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shah, Sameer B. — VA San Diego Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Shah, Sameer B.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.