title: [Fractures in spinal muscular atrophy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the frequency of fractures in patients with spinal muscular atrophy, their mechanism of production, age at appearance and functional repercussions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-five patients with spinal muscular atrophy were studied. Cases of fractures diagnosed by means of X-rays were collected and the following parameters were analysed: type of spinal muscular atrophy, gait, age at the time the fracture occurred, mechanism of production, location, treatment applied and functional repercussion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen patients (20%) presented a total of 20 fractures (four of them presented two or more fractures). The mean age was 6.35 years. The fractures were mostly located in the femur and the mechanism of production was falls in 12 cases and minor traumatic injury in eight. No vertebral fractures were detected. All of them were treated conservatively. The only patient with a fracture who was able to walk stopped walking after immobilisation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The existence of fractures in these patients interferes with their quality of life and their level of functioning. It is important to prevent them from occurring during management of the patient and by ensuring a correct posture in the wheelchair with the use of restraint systems. Further studies are needed on the loss of bone mineral density in these patients and their possible relationship with fractures.
authors: Unidad de Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Servicio de Rehabilitación y Medicina Física, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, España.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Febrer
authors: Meritxell
authors: M
authors: Vigo
authors: Natalia
authors: N
authors: Rodríguez
authors: Julita
authors: J
authors: Medina
authors: Jaume
authors: J
authors: Colomer
authors: Andrés
authors: A
authors: Nascimento
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000150:complications; D015519:Bone Density; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005360:Fibula / Q000293:injuries; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D007103:Immobilization; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008684:Metatarsus / Q000293:injuries; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009134:Muscular Atrophy, Spinal / Q000150:complications*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011859:Radiography; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology