Search

In ankylosing spondylitis, the socalled bamboo spine predisposes the spine to be vulnerable to fractures, even in case of a minor trauma. We describe three patients with ankylosing spondylitis and minor trauma. We illustrate that a delay in referral can lead to serious and definite neurological deficit, due to the presence of very unstable spinal fractures. In patients with ankylosing spondylitis, even minor traumata can lead to severely unstable spinal fractures. Neurological deficit can occur directly after the trauma, but can also develop after a few days. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis who complain of back or neck pain after a trauma should always be referred without delay to the emergency department for an evaluation for spinal fractures.