Abstract
Experience in managing 33 lower limb fractures in 25 chronic spinal injured patients is described. An increased awareness among patients and medical staff is required to avoid misdiagnosis. Effort should be made to ensure bone union in satisfactory position, recognising the different requirements of ambulant and non-ambulant patients. ‘Soft pillow splints’ were found to give the best results in all fractures other than those of the femoral neck. Operative treatment with antibiotic prophylaxis is only indicated to correct important deformity.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Baird R, Kreitenberg A, Eltorai I 1986 External fixation of femoral shaft fractures in spinal cord injury patients. Paraplegia 24: 183–190.
Comarr A E, Hutchinson R H, Bors E 1962 Extremity fractures of patients with spinal cord injuries. American Journal of Surgery 103: 732–739.
Eichenholz S N 1963 Management of long bone fractures in paraplegic patients. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 45-A: 299–310.
Freehafer A A, Hazel C M, Becker C L 1981 Lower extremity fractures in patients with spinal cord injury. Paraplegia 19: 367–372.
Freehafer A A, Mast W A 1965 Lower extremity fractures in patients with spinal-cord injury. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 47-A: 683–694.
Katz J 1953 Spontaneous fractures in paraplegic children. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 35-A: 220–226.
Mesard L, Carmody A, Mannarino E, et al 1978 Survival after spinal cord trauma. A life table analysis. Archives of Neurology 35: 78–83.
Nottage W 1981 A review of long bone fractures in patients with spinal cord injuries. Clinical Orthopaedics 155: 65–70.
Ragnarsson K T, Sell G H 1981 Lower extremity fractures after spinal cord injury: a retrospective study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 62: 418–423.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ingram, R., Suman, R. & Freeman, P. Lower limb fractures in the chronic spinal cord injured patient. Spinal Cord 27, 133–139 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1989.20
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1989.20
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Bone Loss and the Current Diagnosis of Osteoporosis and Risk of Fragility Fracture in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury
Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports (2020)
-
Bone loss at the distal femur and proximal tibia in persons with spinal cord injury: imaging approaches, risk of fracture, and potential treatment options
Osteoporosis International (2017)
-
Morbidity following lower extremity fractures in men with spinal cord injury
Osteoporosis International (2013)
-
Bone loss and impaired fracture healing in spinal cord injured mice
Osteoporosis International (2011)
-
Changes in Bone Mass, Bone Structure, Bone Biomechanical Properties, and Bone Metabolism after Spinal Cord Injury: A 6-Month Longitudinal Study in Growing Rats
Calcified Tissue International (2007)