Acute L1 chalkstick fracture post fall in a patient with known ankylosing spondylitis and previous instrumentation and fusion of T8-L1

BACKGROUND: Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are especially prone to sustaining spinal fractures. A 72-year-old male with AS had a previous T10/11 chalkstick fracture requiring a T8-L1 fusion 1 year ago. He subsequently presented with a newly diagnosed acute chalkstick fracture of L1 which was treated without surgery. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 72-year-old male with AS and a T10/11 chalkstick fracture had undergone a T8-L1 thoracolumbar fusion 1 year ago. He newly presented after a fall from his bed with a new acute L1 chalkstick fracture that was successfully managed nonsurgically. CONCLUSION: Patients with AS are at high risk for spinal fractures. Here, elderly male, following an original T10/11 chalkstick fracture and a T8-L1 fusion 1 year ago, presented with a new acute L1 chalkstick fracture managed without surgery.