Traumatic Charcot spine

A case report of a trauma-induced neurologic injury of the spine that resulted in spinal arthropathy, without prior laminectomy, is presented. A review of Charcot joints of the spine is discussed, as well as the three other reported cases currently in the literature, only one of which was managed surgically. Charcot arthropathy can occur at sites distal to the quadra/paraplegic level in trauma patients. Careful radiographic analysis of these areas is important. Aggressive and modern surgical techniques are recommended to achieve spinal stabilization.