Traumatic noncontiguous double fracture-dislocation of the lumbosacral spine

Background contextTo our knowledge, the presence of noncontiguous fracture-dislocation of the lumbosacral spine occurring at two levels has not been reported. The etiology, evaluation, and treatment of the unusual injury is presented.PurposeTo notify spinal traumatologists about the possibility of this unusual injury.Study designA case report of an unusual noncontiguous double fracture-dislocation of the lumbosacral spine.MethodsA 26-year-old man was involved in a motor vehicle accident where his car fell over a bridge and plummeted approximately 300 feet before hitting the ground. The patient was transported to a major medical center where he was found to be conscious, and amazingly, his only major injury was fracture-dislocations of L2–L3 and L5–S1. His preoperative neurologic status showed a partial paraparesis to all motor groups of the lower extremities bilaterally.ResultsThe patient underwent a posterior reduction, instrumentation, and fusion from L1 to S1 with autogenous bone graft and segmental pedicle screw instrumentation. One week postoperatively, he underwent an anterior spinal fusion of L5/S1. Postoperatively, his neurologic status improved allowing him to be ambulatory, with a normal lumbosacral alignment being well-maintained.ConclusionsNoncontiguous double fracture-dislocation of the lumbosacral spine is an unusual injury, which results from a very high-energy trauma. Prompt recognition of the injuries, reduction of the fracture-dislocations, and posterior stabilization is recommended for neural decompression, spinal alignment, and long-term stabilization.