Charcot arthropathy of the spine in long-standing paraplegia

Three cases of Charcot spinal arthropathy in long-standing (greater than 20 years) paraplegia are presented. In this group of patients with other known chronic infections, the differential diagnosis strongly favored osteomyelitis. Scanning techniques including technetium 99, indium 111, and computed tomography (CT) were used in the extensive work-up and were helpful, although not diagnostic. Closed needle and, in two cases, open biopsies eventually confirmed the diagnosis. The possible occurrence of this neuroarthropathy long after the onset of nonprogressive paraplegia should be kept in mind by those treating spinal cord injured patients.