Rehabilitation Towards Functional Independence in a Patient With Intertrochanteric Fracture and Paraplegia: A Case Report

Abstract

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) causes significant neurological deficits that adversely affect the quality of life of patients and caregivers. Patients with SCI present with the symptoms of weakness and loss of sensations in the limbs. Motor deficits may occur in the form of paraplegia, hemiplegia, or quadriplegia. Patients remain immobilized for a prolonged period which may lead to complications like muscle wasting, atrophy, joint stiffness, contractures, bed sores, and osteoporosis. Patients are prone to fractures owing to osteoporosis. The fractures may occur even due to trivial trauma. Our case report presents the case of a 45-year-old male patient who is already diagnosed with paraplegia having a history of SCI one-and-a-half years ago. He has recent history of intertrochanteric (IT) fracture that occurs during the transfer from bed to wheelchair. Admitted to the hospital with a complaint of a popping sound along with low back pain. Further investigation and management were started.