DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.cc.26.00188 ISSN: 2160-3251
Transient Paraparesis from Post-traumatic Muscle Herniation Through Laminectomy Defect: Rare Sequela of Thoracolumbar Kyphosis Correction
Ajoy Prasad Shetty, Karthik Ramachandran, Sri Vijay Anand K. S., Rishi Mugesh Kanna, Shanmuganathan RajasekaranCase:
An 8-year-old girl with congenital thoracolumbar kyphosis underwent posterior instrumented correction with a closing-opening wedge osteotomy. Seven years later, minor trauma caused acute paraparesis. Imaging showed intact implants and solid fusion, but muscle herniation into the laminectomy defect had impinged the spinal cord. Steroids and physiotherapy led to full recovery within 1 month, confirmed at 1-year and 3-year postinjury follow-up.
Conclusion:
This case highlights transient paraparesis from soft-tissue impingement years after correction, underscoring the exposed apical cord's vulnerability and the importance of protective reconstruction—such as titanium mesh or artificial lamina—to prevent trauma-related injury.