Randeep S Jawa1, Adam J Singer2, Daniel N Rutigliano1, Jane E McCormack1, Emily C Huang1, Marc J Shapiro1, Suzanne D Fields3, Brian N Morelli4, James A Vosswinkel1. 1. Division of Trauma, Department of Surgery, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York. 2. Department of Emergency Medicine, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York. 3. Division of Geriatrics, General Internal Medicine, and Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York. 4. Spine and Scoliosis Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence of spinal fractures and their outcomes in the elderly who fall from low-levels in a suburban county. DESIGN: Retrospective county-wide trauma registry review from 2004 to 2013. SETTING: Suburban county with regionalized trauma care consisting of 11 hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Adult trauma patients aged ≥65 years who were admitted after falling from <3 feet. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and outcomes. RESULTS: Spinal fractures occurred in 18% of 4,202 older adult patients admitted following trauma over this 10-year time period, in the following distribution: 43% cervical spine, 5.7% thoracic, 4.9% lumbar spine, 36% sacrococcygeal, and 9.6% multiple spinal regions. As compared to non-spinal fracture patients, more spinal fracture patients went to acute/subacute rehabilitation (47% vs 34%, P < .001) and fewer were discharged home (21% vs 35%, P < .001). In-hospital mortality rate in spinal and non-spinal fracture patients was similar (8.5% vs 9.3%, P = .5). CONCLUSION: Low-level falls often resulted in a spinal fracture at a variety of levels. Vigilance in evaluation of the entire spine in this population is suggested.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence of spinal fractures and their outcomes in the elderly who fall from low-levels in a suburban county. DESIGN: Retrospective county-wide trauma registry review from 2004 to 2013. SETTING: Suburban county with regionalized trauma care consisting of 11 hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Adult traumapatients aged ≥65 years who were admitted after falling from <3 feet. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and outcomes. RESULTS:Spinal fractures occurred in 18% of 4,202 older adult patients admitted following trauma over this 10-year time period, in the following distribution: 43% cervical spine, 5.7% thoracic, 4.9% lumbar spine, 36% sacrococcygeal, and 9.6% multiple spinal regions. As compared to non-spinal fracturepatients, more spinal fracturepatients went to acute/subacute rehabilitation (47% vs 34%, P < .001) and fewer were discharged home (21% vs 35%, P < .001). In-hospital mortality rate in spinal and non-spinal fracturepatients was similar (8.5% vs 9.3%, P = .5). CONCLUSION: Low-level falls often resulted in a spinal fracture at a variety of levels. Vigilance in evaluation of the entire spine in this population is suggested.
Authors: En Loong Soon; Adriel Zhijie Leong; Jean Chiew; Arun-Kumar Kaliya-Perumal; Chun Sing Yu; Jacob Yoong-Leong Oh Journal: Asian Spine J Date: 2019-03-15
Authors: Alina Lampart; Isabelle Arnold; Nina Mäder; Sandra Niedermeier; Armin Escher; Robert Stahl; Christoph Trumm; Christian Kammerlander; Wolfgang Böcker; Christian Nickel; Roland Bingisser; Vera Pedersen Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2019-12-30 Impact factor: 4.241