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Published on: November 8, 2024
Spinal Fractures in Older Adult Patients Admitted After Low-Level Falls: 10-Year Incidence and Outcomes
Randeep S Jawa1, Adam J Singer2, Daniel N Rutigliano1
1Division of Trauma, Department of Surgery, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York.
Objectives:
To evaluate the incidence of spinal fractures and their outcomes in the elderly who fall from low-levels in a suburban county.
Design:
Retrospective county-wide trauma registry review from 2004 to 2013.
Setting:
Suburban county with regionalized trauma care consisting of 11 hospitals.
Participants:
Adult trauma patients aged ≥65 years who were admitted after falling from <3 feet.
Measurements:
Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and outcomes.
Results:
Spinal fractures occurred in 18% of 4,202 older adult patients admitted following trauma over this 10-year time period, in the following distribution: 43% cervical spine, 5.7% thoracic, 4.9% lumbar spine, 36% sacrococcygeal, and 9.6% multiple spinal regions. As compared to non-spinal fracture patients, more spinal fracture patients went to acute/subacute rehabilitation (47% vs 34%, P < .001) and fewer were discharged home (21% vs 35%, P < .001). In-hospital mortality rate in spinal and non-spinal fracture patients was similar (8.5% vs 9.3%, P = .5).
Conclusion:
Low-level falls often resulted in a spinal fracture at a variety of levels. Vigilance in evaluation of the entire spine in this population is suggested.
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