Cervical spine dislocation on ankylosing spondylitis: A case report

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Spinal Surgery
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) causes spinal ossification, leading to biomechanical changes.
• These changes result in severe instability and increased risk of neurological injury in cervical spine fractures.
• Treating cervical spine fractures in AS patients presents unique challenges compared to non-ossified spines.

Observation:

• A 55-year-old male patient with ankylosing spondylitis presented with a C5-C6 fracture-dislocation after minimal trauma.
• The patient underwent four surgical interventions to achieve adequate reduction and stabilization.
• The case highlights the difficulties in managing cervical spine fractures in the context of ossified AS.

Findings:

• Surgical management of cervical spine fractures in ankylosing spondylitis requires careful consideration of spinal instability.
• Combined anterior and posterior osteosynthesis proved effective in achieving satisfactory reduction and stabilization in this case.
• The study underscores the importance of a combined surgical approach for complex cervical fractures in AS.

Implications:

• This case demonstrates the efficacy of combined osteosynthesis for complex cervical spine fractures in ankylosing spondylitis.
• Findings suggest that a combined approach may be superior to isolated anterior or posterior stabilization in such cases.
• Further research into optimal surgical strategies for cervical fractures in AS is warranted to improve patient outcomes.