Spinal fractures complicating ankylosing spondylitis

The ankylosed osteoporotic spines of patients with long-standing ankylosing spondylitis are prone to fracture. The spinal trauma is of a trivial nature in many patients and the diagnosis may be overlooked, unless neurologic damage occurs. The fractures most commonly occur in the cervical region and...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inAnnals of internal medicine Vol. 88; no. 4; p. 546
Main Authors Hunter, T, Dubo, H
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.04.1978
Subjects
Adult
Aged
Female
Fractures, Bone - diagnostic imaging
Fractures, Bone - epidemiology
Fractures, Bone - etiology
Fractures, Bone - therapy
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Osteoporosis - complications
Spinal Injuries - diagnostic imaging
Spinal Injuries - etiology
Spinal Injuries - therapy
Spondylitis, Ankylosing - complications
Tomography, X-Ray
Traction
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:The ankylosed osteoporotic spines of patients with long-standing ankylosing spondylitis are prone to fracture. The spinal trauma is of a trivial nature in many patients and the diagnosis may be overlooked, unless neurologic damage occurs. The fractures most commonly occur in the cervical region and may be multiple. Because of spinal osteoporosis and deformity, radiographic visualization of the fracture site may be difficult. Tomography may be helpful in some patients. Management may be conservative or surgical and is complicated by increased instability of the fracture site, spinal osteoporosis, and deformity. Conservative management of cervical fractures is probably best accomplished by halo traction and body cast. Progression of the neurologic deficit is an indication for surgical intervention.
ISSN:0003-4819
DOI:10.7326/0003-4819-88-4-546