Incomplete burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine: a review of literature.
Ulrich Josef Albert SpieglC JostenB M DevittC-E HeydePublished in: European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society (2017)
Incomplete burst fractures can differ tremendously regarding the degree of instability they confer to the thoracolumbar spine. Based on a detailed review of the literature, it is clear that good results can be obtained with both non-operative and operative strategies to treat these injuries. In the authors' opinion, the intervertebral disc plays a key role in determining the long-term clinical and radiological outcome. Thus, an incorporation of the intervertebral disc pathology into the existing classification systems would be a valuable prognostic factor.