Summary
In the years 1965–1982, 33 patients with traumatic cervical spine injury in ankylosing spondylitis were treated in the Spinal Department of the Rehabilitation Clinic at Konstancin, Poland.
This paper describes the causes of vertebral injury, the level and degree of spinal cord damage and the method and results of treatment.
Injury of the ankylosed spine is often a consequence of minor trauma, such as a stumble in the street, but the damage to the spinal cord is often complete or extensive.
Complete injuries of the spinal cord with subsequent disturbance of the autonomic system are likely to lead to the development of respiratory disorders, aggravated by the pathological changes associated with ankylosing spondylitis when the chest is fixed in the exhaling position. This may often lead to death.
Résumé
De 1965 à 1982, 33 malades atteints de spondylarthrite ankylosante et présentant un traumatisme du rachis cervical ont été traités dans le département Spinal de la Clinique de réhabilitation de Konstancin, en Pologne.
Cet article décrit les causes du traumatisme vertébral, le niveau et le degré des lésions médullaires ainsi que les méthodes et les résultats du traitement.
L'atteinte d'un rachis ankylosé est souvent la conséquence d'un traumatisme mineur, tel qu'un faux-pas dans la rue, mais les lésions médullaires sont souvent complètes ou étendues.
L'interruption complète de la moëlle avec les perturbations du système autonome qui en résultent, peut entrainer des troubles respiratoires, aggravés par les modifications pathologiques dues à la spondylarthrite, le thorax étant ankylosé en position expiratoire. L'évolution fatale est alors fréquente.
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Kiwerski, J., Wieclawek, H. & Garwacka, I. Fractures of the cervical spine in ankylosing spondylitis. International Orthopaedics 8, 243–246 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00266867
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00266867