Ultrasound Imaging Study for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

STUDY BASICS

Do you have a spinal cord injury and do you use a wheelchair as your primary means of mobility? Have you had a pressure sore on your buttocks? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a 1-visit research study to help better understand how bone shape affects the development of pressure sores. Compensation is provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

People who use a wheelchair due to a spinal cord injury are at an increased risk of developing skin wounds that are commonly called pressure sores, pressure injuries, pressure ulcers, or bed sores. Some research shows that an individual’s bone shape plays a role in the development of pressure sores, but this relationship is not fully understood. The purpose of this study is to help researchers learn more about how a person’s bone shape affects the development of pressure sores on the buttocks. Researchers hope their findings will lead to better ways to assess a person’s risk for developing pressure sores in the future.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Use a wheelchair as your primary means of mobility
• Have a spinal cord injury
• Have had a pressure sore on your buttocks that is now healed
• Able to lie on your stomach or on your left and right sides for 15 minutes at a time
• Not pregnant

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation involves 1 visit lasting up to 3 hours. During this visit, an ultrasound will be used to measure the characteristics of your buttock bones. Ultrasound is a safe and painless method used to obtain images of the body without radiation.