Degenerative joint abnormalities in patients with paraplegia of duration greater than 20 years

Radiographs and medical and surgical records of 51 patients following spinal injury have been reviewed. All the patients had been paraplegic for 20 years or more at the time of the survey. The reason for the survey was to assess the incidence of degenerative change of the hips, sacroiliac and shoulder joints in patients following spinal injury. Our review indicates that the number of paraplegic patients who develop degeneration of hip and sacroiliac joint changes is less significant than has been previously reported. Analysis of our figures has revealed certain important associations which predispose these patients to joint degeneration. The associations (anatomical level of injury, urinary tract infections, and the level of the patients' activity) with joint degeneration are described.