title: Management of spinal fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: Ankylosing spondlylitis is a seronegative spondyloarthropathy that primarily affects the spinal column and sacroiliac joints. With disease progression autofusion of the spinal column takes place. This combined with the brittle bone quality make patients prone to fractures and spinal cord injury. The typical fracture pattern is extension type and involves all three columns. These fractures and injuries may involve the craniovertebral junction, the subaxial cervical spine, and the thoracolumbar spine. While at times these fractures are challenging to manage especially when they affect the elderly, there is evidence that supports long segment fixation and fusion. This article presents a narrative review on managing spinal fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, United States.
authors.forename: Najib E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: El Tecle
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States.
authors.forename: Kingsley O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Abode-Iyamah
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States.
authors.forename: Patrick W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Hitchon
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Fienberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States. Electronic address: Nader.dahdaleh@northwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Nader S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Dahdaleh
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000150:complications*
keywords: Ankylosing spondylitis; Craniocervical junction; Prevention; Spinal fracture; Spine; Subaxial spine; Surgery; Thoracolumbar spine