- See:
Burst Frx:
- Discussion:
- this fracture involves loss of vertebral body height anteriorly;
- posterior wall remains intact, & upper vertebra rotates downward about
two facet joints;
- posterior ligaments become taut when anterior ht loss is approx 25%;
- compression of > 50% with out compression of posterior wall may
indicate posterior
Ligamentous injury, which may convert this to
complex fracture;
- disruption of the posterior
ligamentous complex in face of anaterior
frx or dislocation is strong indication of instability & of potential necessity
for surgical stabilization;
- exceptions may include the upper thoracic spine, which is inherently
more stable, and with bony Chance frx;
- compression frx of 3 sequential vertebrae leads to increase
in risk of posttraumatic
Kyphosis;
- Treatment:
- frxs w/ up to 25% compression & intact posterior wall are treated w/ orthosis;
- if
dynamic lateral views reveal instability, posterior interspinous;
- wiring w/ bone graft stabilizse disrupted posterior
ligament complex;
