burst fracture

Burst Fractures

 

Definition

 

Burst fractures

- injury to anterior and middle columns +/- posterior column

 

Mechanism

 

Vertical compression

 

Epidemiology

 

10% cervical fractures

Most commonly C5/6

 

Pathology

 

Anterior & middle columns fail

- if severe, posterior ligament complex fails

Thoraco Lumbar Fracture

Xray Assessment

 

A:  Alignment

B:  Bony

C:  Canal

D:  Disc

S:  Soft tissues

 

Goals of surgery

 

1.  Correct deformity

2.  Restore stability

3.  Decompress neural elements if required

 

MRI

 

Advantage

- defines level of conus

- may need anterior rather than posterior surgery if lesion above conus