Table 2 Details of charcot spinal arthropathy in patients, covering clinical presentation and treatment modalities.
Patient | Level of CSA | Time lag between SCI and CSA diagnosis (years) | Age of CSA diagnosis (years) | Clinical presentation | Treatment of CSA | Complications noted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | L3/L4 | 25 | 43 | Autonomic dysreflexia Lower limb spasms Localised back pain Sitting imbalance Spinal deformity | Steroid injection at the charcot joint Pelvic fixation offered Rehabilitation (including Allied Health Care) | Nil documented |
2 | L3/L4 | 42 | 70 | Progressive lumbar pain for nine months Feeling of sinking forward Loss of height Esophageal reflux Increasing disability and distress | Harrington rods removed Fixation of lumbar Charcot – posterior instrumented correction and fusion to pelvis Rehabilitation (including Allied Health Care) | 2 days ITU admission, Day 7 Pulmonary Embolism |
3 | L4/L5 | 52 | 72 | Autonomic Dysreflexia Hypotensive episodes Loss of consciousness Incidental Finding | Conservative (analgesics, antispasmodics) Rehabilitation (including Allied Health Care) | Nil documented |
4 | L4/L5 | 46 | 48 | Back pain Unpleasant sensation/dull ache around left pelvis and hip Crunching and grinding in the lower lumbar spine Deterioration in his seating posture – now slumped over | Scoliosis correction surgery at age 6 years old Revision decompression and fusion at L4/5, osteotomy performed at this level and instrumentation down the pelvis Rehabilitation (including Allied Health Care) | 1 year follow up found decreased hip pain, back pain, leg pain, experiences mild clinic around spine on long periods of sitting in chair. 2 year follow up was satisfactory |
5 | T10/11 | 38 | 55 | Progressive lower back pain Clicking and crunching of his back Loss in height Spinal deformity Left leg spasms | TLSO Brace Posterior deformity correction of kyphosis and thoracolumbar fusion of unstable Charcot joint Rehabilitation (including Allied Health Care) | ITU admission post op for 2 days |
6 | C7–T1 and L2/L3 | 20 | 62 | Scoliosis Autonomic Dysreflexia | Conservative (analgesics, antispasmodics) Rehabilitation (including Allied Health Care) | Nil documented |
