Application of external fixation at the early stage of rehabilitation in patients after internal fixation of spine: Therapeutic observation on 236 cases

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effect of the external fixation with orthosis in the rehabilitative treatment after the internal fixation of spine. Methods: Totally 236 patients with cervical vertebra fracture and dislocation and thoracic-lumbar vertebra fracture after treatment of internal fixation of spine were treated with assistant therarpy, including cervical orthosis, head-cervical-thoracic hot-shape orthosis and thoracic-lumbar hot-shape orthosis. Among them, there were 87 cases of external fixation with cervical orthosis, 35 cases of head-cervical-thoracic hot-shape orthosis(CTO) and 114 cases of thoracic-lumbar hot-shape orthosis(TLSO). The fusion rate of the transplanted bone in the spine and the failure rate of the internal fixation device were observed. Results: A total of 221 patients were followed up with a mean time of 15.3 months. The mean fusion time of the injured spinal segment was 5.1 months, there were 4 cases of non-fusion, and the fusion rate was 98.2%. There were 5 of broken implants after posterior internal fixation. No patients had complications. Conclusion: Externally fixated with orthosis, the patients after the treatment of internal fixation of spine could excercise out of bed earlier, with less clinical complications of sickbed and fracture. The external fixation can help the internal fixation strengthen the spinal stabilization and reduce the fatigue broken rate of the implants.