Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system. Patients with this condition may experience sudden muscle spasms, leading to falls and subsequent fractures. Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation, the presence of anti-GAD antibodies, and electromyography (EMG) findings that show continuous motor unit activity. However, there have been few reports of atraumatic fractures in these patients. CASE PRESENTATION: In this article, we present a case of a patient with stiff person syndrome who sustained an intertrochanteric fracture without any prior history of trauma. Additionally, we review and discuss previous literature on this subject. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: SPS is a rare autoimmune neurological disease with muscle rigidity and spasms predominantly in the trunk and lower limbs. The authors mentioned that SPS diagnosis and managing related fractures could be challenging. They recommended optimizing the patient's status with proper medical treatments before surgical interventions to reduce further complications. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, it appears that stiff person syndrome can lead to recurrent and even atraumatic fractures, and should be considered as an underlying cause. Additionally, uncontrolled spasms in these patients can result in the failure of previous surgical fixations and complicated surgical management. To prevent surgical complications, it is crucial to initiate and maintain appropriate medical treatment to control spasms as soon as the underlying disease is diagnosed.