# Minimally Invasive Thoracic-Lumbar Stabilization Surgery for Infected Charcot Spine Arthropathy (ICSA) After Spinal Cord Injury

## TL;DR

A minimally invasive surgical approach successfully treated infected Charcot spine arthropathy in a patient with a history of spinal cord injury.

## Contribution

Demonstrates successful use of minimally invasive techniques for infected Charcot spine arthropathy, a rare and complex condition.

## Key findings

- Minimally invasive spinal reconstruction achieved bony fusion and controlled infection in a patient with ICSA.
- Use of penetrating endplate screw and LLIF showed effectiveness in treating destructive spinal lesions.
- Computer-assisted rod bending system improved surgical precision and outcomes.

## Abstract

Charcot spinal arthropathy (CSA) is a very rare condition that causes destruction and deformity of the spine due to impaired sensation. We report a case of an infected Charcot spine arthropathy (ICSA) treatment with spinal reconstruction surgery using a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) technique. A 49-year-old man who had a spinal cord injury (SCI) at age 19 presented with a destructive lesion in the L2/3 and a fistula in his lower back. Spinal reconstruction surgery using a penetrating endplate screw, lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), and a computer-assisted rod bending system were performed. A CT scan taken six months after surgery showed bony fusion. Reconstruction of the destructive spine is necessary to control the infection and symptoms due to kyphotic deformity for ICSA. Although the treatment of ICSA generally requires a highly invasive approach, we have achieved good clinical results with minimally invasive reconstructive surgery.