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Three-Column Spine Fracture After Direct Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Case Report
Gina M Mosich1, Nicolas Sapountzis, Mathias P Bostrom
1Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York.
Case:
This report describes a case of an unstable spine fracture in the setting of severe degenerative disc disease in a patient who underwent a direct anterior total hip arthroplasty (THA). The patient was positioned supine on a standard operating room table and postoperatively complained of back pain and neurologic deficits. Advanced imaging identified a T12-L1 extension-distraction injury, and the patient ultimately required surgical decompression and spinal fusion.
Conclusion:
This case outlines a serious complication of THA that can occur in patients with degenerative spine disease and highlights the importance of taking precautions to reduce stress on the spine during surgery.

