Management of degenerative changes and stenosis of the lumbar spinal canal secondary to cervical spinal cord injury.

We describe the case of a 47-year-old female who sustained a C5/6 fracture with C6 complete spinal cord injury 26 years ago. She presented with increased spasticity of the lower extremities, the abdominal wall and episodes of autonomic dysreflexia. Imaging of the spine revealed post-traumatic kyphosis at the level of the injury and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with marked facet joint hypertrophy at the level of L4/5 causing severe spinal canal stenosis. Discussants of this case comment on the possible pathophysiological mechanisms causing autonomic dysreflexia, especially the development of degenerative changes, Charcot arthropathy and the role of tethering mechanisms. The diagnostic options and management approaches are also discussed.