Treatment Options for Thoracolumbar Spine Fractures

Eldin E. Karaiković; Hector O. Pacheco

doi:10.17305/bjbms.2005.3279

Authors

Eldin E. Karaiković Assistant Professor, Northwestern University, and Director of the Spine Center and Lead Physician, Orthopaedic Surgery, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare
Hector O. Pacheco Assistant Professor, Chief of Spine Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Texas Tech University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17305/bjbms.2005.3279

Keywords:

thoracolumbar spine fractures, load-sharing classification, short segment fusion

Abstract

A decision for operative versus nonoperative management of thoracolumbar fractures should NEVER be based solely on one factor. Only after a thorough physical, neurological, and spinal examination, and an assessment of a patient’s prior activity, social and educational background and patient’s expectations, one should review the patient’s radiographs and CT scans to determine risks and benefits of operative versus nonoperative care. Both treatment options are discussed in this paper. As a surgical option our preference is short-segment instrumentation and fusion. Careful and appropriate patient selection and an excellent operative technique insure the minimum complications.