Thoracolumbar fracture dislocation sustained during childbirth in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a major subtype of the spondyloarthropathies. Uncoupling of bone formation and resorption along with ectopic ossification of paraspinal soft-tissue structures alters the biomechanics of the spine and leads to an increased susceptibility to fracture.

PURPOSE: To report on a thoracolumbar fracture dislocation sustained in a 33-year-old Gravida 2/Para 2 woman, which occurred during labor. Although there are several reports in the literature of thoracolumbar fracture dislocations sustained in patients with AS, none have been reported during childbirth.

STUDY

DESIGN

Case report.

CONCLUSIONS

An elevated suspicion for injury should be maintained when patients with AS present with back or neck pain even without a history of significant trauma.