Management of thoracolumbar fractures: A prospective study

Abstract

Thoracolumbar fractures are breakages in the vertebrae of the spinal column in the thoracic and lumbar regions. They may be associated with disruption of the ligamentous complexes, and can result in instability or compression of neural structures. Thoracolumbar fractures are the usual outcome of thoracolumbar trauma. In the present study, Thoracolumbar spine fractures are more common in 31-40 years of life with male predominance due to outdoor activities, the commonest mode of injury was road traffic accident, In the present study, Type A fracture is more common at the level of L1. In this series 12 patients polyaxial pedicle screws were used and in 4 patients monoaxial with polyaxial pedicle screws were used. Fracture-dislocations of the thoracic and lumbar spine are caused by very high-energy trauma. They can be extremely unstable injuries that often result in serious spinal cord or nerve damage.