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Deep venous thrombosis associated with heterotopic ossification.
L H Bradleigh1, A Perkash, S H Linder
1Spinal Cord Injury Service, Palo Alto Veterans Administration Medical Center, CA 94304.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|March 1, 1992
Summary
Spinal cord injury patients can develop both deep venous thrombosis and heterotopic ossification simultaneously. Anticoagulant therapy for deep venous thrombosis was safe in patients with active heterotopic ossification.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Medicine
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Swollen lower extremities in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients have a broad differential diagnosis.
- Conditions include deep venous thrombosis (DVT), fracture, cellulitis, joint sepsis, heterotopic ossification (HO), hematoma, and neoplasm.
Observation:
- A case study of an SCI patient with an asymmetrically swollen limb was presented.
- Concurrent ipsilateral acute DVT and active HO were diagnosed through laboratory and radiologic studies.
Findings:
- Acute DVT and active HO can occur concurrently in SCI patients.
- Therapeutic anticoagulation with heparin and warfarin was administered.
- HO treatment involved indomethacin, etidronate, and graded range of motion.
- Anticoagulation did not cause bleeding complications in or around the active HO sites.
Implications:
- This suggests that DVT and HO may have a relationship in SCI patients.
- Further research is warranted to explore this potential association.
- Understanding this relationship can improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for SCI patients.