Distal radius fractures account for nearly 1 of every 5 fractures in individuals aged 65 or older. Moreover, increased susceptibility to vertebral and hip fractures has been documented in patients a year after suffering a distal radius fracture. Although women are more susceptible to hip fractures, men experience a higher mortality rate in the 7 years following a distal radius fracture. Traditional approaches to distal radius fractures have included both surgical and nonsurgical treatments, with predominant complaints involving weakness, stiffness, and pain. Nonsurgical approaches include immobilization with or without reduction, whereas surgical treatments include dorsal spanning bridge plates, percutaneous pinning, external fixation, and volar plate fixation. The nature of the fracture will determine the best treatment option, and surgeons employ a multifactorial treatment approach that includes the patient’s age, nature of injury, joint involvement, and displacement among other factors. Historically, closed reduction and percutaneous pinning have been the most popular approaches. However, volar plate fixation is quickly becoming a popular option as it minimizes tendon irritation, reduces immobilization time, and decreases risk of complication. The goal of treatment is to restore mobility, reduce pain, and improve functional outcomes following rehabilitation. The aim of this review is to summarize the most common treatments and importance of early referral to hand therapy to improve functional outcomes.

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Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are sustained by more than 12 500 patients per year in the United States and more globally. The SCIs disproportionately affect the elderly, especially men. Approximately 60% of these injuries are sustained traumatically through falls, but nontraumatic causes including infections, tumors, and medication-related epidural bleeding have also been documented. Preexisting conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis can render the spine stiff and are risk factors as well as cervical spondylosis and ensuing cervical stenosis. Treatment options vary depending on the severity, location, and complexity of the injury. Surgical management has been growing in popularity over the years and remains an option as it helps reduce spinal cord compression and alleviate pain. Elevating mean arterial pressures to prevent spinal cord ischemia and avoiding the second hit of SCI have become more common as opposed to high dose steroids. Ongoing clinical trials with pharmacological agents such as minocycline and riluzole have shown early, promising results in their ability to reduce cellular damage and facilitate recovery. Though SCI can be life changing, the available treatment options have aimed to reduce pain and minimize complications and maintain quality of life alongside rehabilitative services.

Study Design: Retrospective. Objectives: To evaluate complications and outcomes of halo immobilization in patients with cervical spine fractures treated at a level I trauma center. Methods: A retrospective evaluation of patients treated at a single institution with halo immobilization from August 2000 to February 2016 was performed. Demographic information, mechanism of injury, level and type of spine fracture, length of halo immobilization, complications associated with halo immobilization, and length of patient follow-up were collected. Results: A total of 189 patients treated with halos were identified. Of the 189 patients, 121 (64%) received halos for the management of cervical spine fractures and were included in the study. A total of 49.6% were males and 50.4% were females. The average age was 50.8 years (range 1-89 years). Overall, 10.7% sustained C1 fractures, 71.1% C2 fractures, and 18.2% subaxial spine (C3-C7) fractures. In all, 47.1% of the upper cervical fractures were either odontoid or hangman-type fractures. A total of 25.1% of patients had multiple cervical fractures. At latest follow-up, 81% had healed fractures with good alignment, minimal pain, and return to normal activities. There was an 8.3% mortality rate. The mortality group had an average age of 64.7 years (range 19-84 years). A total of 10.7% of patients failed halo immobilization and 46.3% of patients had complications such as pin site infections (5.8%), loose pins (1.7%), neck pain (20.7%), decreased range of motion (14%), thoracic skin ulcers (2.4%), and dysphagia (1.7%). Conclusions: The use of halo immobilization for cervical spine fractures resulted in clinical success in 81% of patients. Complication rates in geriatric patients were lower than previously reported in the literature.

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