Spinal Fractures in Older Adult Patients Admitted After Low-Level Falls: 10-Year Incidence and Outcomes

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of spinal fractures and their outcomes in the elderly who fall from low-levels in a suburban county.

Design: Retrospective county-wide trauma registry review from 2004 to 2013.

Setting: Suburban county with regionalized trauma care consisting of 11 hospitals.

Participants: Adult trauma patients aged ≥65 years who were admitted after falling from <3 feet.

Measurements: Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and outcomes.

Results: Spinal fractures occurred in 18% of 4,202 older adult patients admitted following trauma over this 10-year time period, in the following distribution: 43% cervical spine, 5.7% thoracic, 4.9% lumbar spine, 36% sacrococcygeal, and 9.6% multiple spinal regions. As compared to non-spinal fracture patients, more spinal fracture patients went to acute/subacute rehabilitation (47% vs 34%, P < .001) and fewer were discharged home (21% vs 35%, P < .001). In-hospital mortality rate in spinal and non-spinal fracture patients was similar (8.5% vs 9.3%, P = .5).

Conclusion: Low-level falls often resulted in a spinal fracture at a variety of levels. Vigilance in evaluation of the entire spine in this population is suggested.

Keywords: elderly; fall; fracture; older; spine; trauma.