Sacroiliac Joint Changes in Traumatic Parapleqics1

In a radiographic survey of the pelvic areas of 160 parapl egics we found two main groups of abnormalit ies: (1) the socalled para-ost eo-arthropathies, (2) true arthropathic changes in the sacroiliac joints. Dejerine, Ceillier, and Dejerine (1) coined the term “para-osteo-arthropathies” to describe bony erosion, soft ti ssue calcification, and ossification in their series of paraplegic casualties of World War I. The term has been revived, and the studies expanded in severa l series of World War II patients (2, 3). The bony erosions of the femoral trochanters, ischial tuberosities, and other bony promontories have been ascribed to pressure necrosis and osseous devitalization secondary to decubiti. The soft-tissue calcification and ossification in the buttocks and about the hip joints have also been ascrib ed to decubiti, but a neurogenic factor may also be involved (2). Another factor to be considered is the abnormal mobiliz ation and deposition of skeletal calcium in the bedridden patient (3). True joint...