Extremity fractures in patients presenting with traumatic spinal fractures and spinal cord injury

Clinical features of extremity fractures (EFs) in patients presenting with traumatic spinal fractures (TSFs) and spinal cord injury (SCI) have not been investigated. To investigate the clinical features and risk factors for EFs in patients presenting with TSFs and SCI.Data from 1392 patients presenting with TSFs and SCI in our hospitals between 2001 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed, among which 165 patients (129 males and 36 females, 37.5 ± 10.6 years old) presented with EFs. The clinical features of EFs have been investigated.The frequencies of upper limb fractures were significantly higher in the motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) group than in the high-fall group (P = .012) and the struck-by-object group (P = .002). The frequencies of lower limb fractures were significantly higher in the struck-by-object group (P = .019) and the high-fall group (P = .011) than the MVCs group. Univariate logistic regression analysis show that being in the 19 to 39 age group (P = .001), having a lumbar spinal fracture (P < .001) and experiencing a high fall (P < .001) were risk factors for EFs. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that we should focus on the factors that having a lumbar spinal fracture and experiencing a high fall.High fall and MVCs were the most common aetiologies for EFs. Having a lumbar spinal fracture and experiencing a high fall were significant risk factors for EFs. We should make early diagnoses and initiate timely treatment according to different patterns of extremity fractures in patients with TSFs and SCI.