J Spinal Cord Med, 2006 · DOI: · Published: January 1, 2006
Patients with spinal cord injuries can develop fluid buildup in their knee joints, likely from repeated small injuries. This report suggests that similar fluid buildup can also occur in the hip joints of paralyzed patients. The cause is probably similar to knee effusions: repeated small injuries, such as those from aggressive range-of-motion exercises. This report describes a case where a patient with a spinal cord injury developed fluid buildup in both hips, which was not associated with heterotopic ossification (bone formation in soft tissue).
Clinicians should be aware that hip effusions can occur in patients with spinal cord injuries, not just knee effusions.
Imaging and laboratory tests, including joint aspiration, are warranted to diagnose any treatable causes of hip effusion in SCI patients.
Physical therapists should be cautious when performing range-of-motion exercises on patients with flaccid paralysis, as these exercises may increase the risk of traumatic hip effusions.