Epidural Stimulation After Spinal Cord Injury

About this trial

This is a trial to test the effect of a technique for stimulating the spinal cord with an implanted electrode placed next to the spinal cord (epidural stimulation: ES) in combination with walking in an externally worn powered robotic device to assist movement (exoskeleton: EKSO®) on motor control in veterans with spinal cord injury. If included, the participant will first receive surgery to implant the ES device. After implantation, the participant will practice walking for 30-60 minutes with the EKSO® device and ES between parallel bars, or with a walker or crutches. The training sessions will be performed twice daily, in the morning and evening, 5 days per week. Before and after training (at 6 months), the participant will undergo a low-energy x-ray scan (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry: DXA) to test changes in bone composition, in addition to tests to measure walking and standing parameters, and cardiovascular fitness.