Final answer:
Increased calcium loss from the bones can contribute to the development of renal calculi in a paraplegic patient. This occurs due to increased bone resorption and subsequent urinary excretion of calcium by the kidneys, leading to stone formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
You have a paraplegic patient with renal calculi. Which factor contributes to the development of calculi? The development of renal calculi, commonly known as kidney stones, can often be attributed to certain metabolic factors. A notable one is increased calcium loss from the bones. In the setting of paralysis, such as in a paraplegic individual there is often a decrease in mechanical stress on bones, which can lead to increased bone resorption. This process is facilitated by cells known as osteoclasts leading to a release of calcium into the bloodstream.
Subsequently urinary excretion of calcium by the kidneys is increased to remove the excess calcium, which can contribute to the formation of calcium oxalate stones, the most common type of kidney stone. Moreover conditions associated with high calcium levels in the blood, such as hyperparathyroidism can also lead to increased calcium in the urine and formation of calcium phosphate stones. In both scenarios the increased calcium excretion by the kidneys can create a supersaturated environment in the urine allowing for stone formation.