There are few cases of spinal cord injury with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This study investigated the clinical results of a spinal cord injury with a fracture in elderly patients with AS. Nine patients who had sustained a spinal cord injury with vertebral fractures in ankylosed spines were included in this study. The mean age was 79.3 years; two were male and seven were female. The mechanism of injury, the level of vertebral fractures, clinical methods, the follow-up period, and treatment outcomes were investigated. The mechanism of injury of six cases was a fall and in the others was a slip. The levels of vertebral fractures were a cervical lesion (n = 5), a thoracic lesion (n = 3), and a lumbar lesion (n = 1). Six cases underwent a surgical procedure with posterior fusion and decompression, two cases were treated only with a brace, and one case was treated with a halo vest. The mean follow-up period was 4.3 years. The neurological deficit treatment outcomes were improved or no change in four cases each and one case had died. There was not much difference in treatment outcomes between a surgical treatment and a conservative treatment. Computed tomography imaging to evaluate the entire spine is required in all patients with AS with a possible spinal fracture. A surgical treatment and early rising and rehabilitation should be recommended for patients with fractures and AS to avoid further complications, not from the standpoint of improving the neurological status.
Keywords: ankylosing spondylitis; pulmonary complication; spinal fracture.