Cervical Myelopathy in Hip Fracture Patients

Overview

Recent evidence has demonstrated a high rate of undiagnosed cervical myelopathy in patients presenting with hip fractures from a ground level fall. Identification and treatment of cervical myelopathy can help prevent falls and future fragility fractures. The purpose of this study is to screen ground level fall hip fracture patients for cervical myelopathy using a history, physical exam, and then offer an MRI if indicated.

Cervical myelopathy is compression of the cervical spinal cord which causes many things, but a common and prominent symptom is poor coordination/balance. This has been shown in multiple high quality studies to increase a patient's risk of falls as well as fragility fractures (such as hip fractures). Often, patients with hip fractures present with multiple falls of unknown origin. Work up from an orthopedic perspective is rare, but our medicine colleagues spend a substantial amount of resources to identify a cause (carotid ultrasound, head CT, EKG, echo, labs, etc.). This is because hip fractures in the elderly come with a 10-30% risk of death at one year. Preventing a fall that causes a hip fracture is very important, and we, as orthopedists, are well positioned to aid in that endeavor. 8 years ago a study was published in a prominent orthopedic journal looking at cervical myelopathy in hip fracture patients. With 28 hip fracture patients, they found an 18% rate of cervical myelopathy. This was diagnosed on history and physical exam. MRIs were offered but not obtained. To date, this is the only study on this subject. This study will be similar but will go a step further and obtain a cervical spine MRI to complete the diagnosis of cervical myelopathy for these patients. This can help get them on the pathway for treatment and future fall prevention. How it will work: Once a patient sustains a hip fracture and is admitted to either Methodist hospital, IU North hospital, or Eskenazi hospital, study team will screen the patient for inclusion and exclusion criteria via chart review. If criteria are met, the patient will be seen in the hospital by study team and the patient will be consented for the study. The study team will do a physical exam and take a history from the patient for research purposes, looking for signs/symptoms of cervical myelopathy. If it is determined the patient likely has cervical myelopathy, as standard of care, the patient will be offered an MRI and possibly be referred to a surgeon.

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Central Contacts