Prevention of Bone Loss After Acute SCI by Zoledronic Acid

Inclusion Criteria: * In-patient at Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) or an outpatient who was recently discharged from RIC * Males and females * Age \>/=18 years * Medically stable in the opinion of subject's physiatrist * SCI at within 120 days inclusive at time of screening * SCI with inability to ambulate independently * ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) A, B, or C, at time of study entry * Capable of positioning to have DXA performed * Able to tolerate acetaminophen * No known endocrinopathies (diabetes type 1 or 2 can be included) * Normal TSH levels * Normal 25-OH vitamin D levels (\>/= 20 ng/ml) at baseline (subjects may be repleted) * Normal calcium levels * Normal renal function (creatinine \<2.0 mg/dl) * Well hydrated with adequate intake of liquids * Able to return for all follow-up visits * Capable of reading and understanding informed consent document * Males and females of childbearing potential must be willing and able to use double barrier method of contraception for 2 months after having received study drug Exclusion Criteria: * Have Paget's disease of the bone * Malignancy as a cause of acute SCI * Have unexplained high levels of alkaline phosphatase in blood * Any active gastrointestinal condition that results in malabsorption * Poor dental hygiene or requirement for invasive dental procedure within two months prior to enrollment * History of bone metastasis and skeletal malignancies * History of alcoholism or drug abuse within the 2 years prior to st…