Stabilisation of spinal fractures related to ankylosing spondylitis

Yohan Robinson

 

 

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) lead to reduced mobility of spinal segments. Even though two completely different entities, these ankylosing spinal diseases have one important biomechanical feature in common: The relating long lever arms result in potentially hazardous instability in case of vertebral fractures. Especially fractures of the ankylosed cervical spine and the cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) are a serious condition, since both sagittal profile and spinal cord are endangered. Treatment may be complicated due to co-morbidity, and the mortality of fractures related to AS or DISH is considerably high.