Thoracic and lumbar compression fractures

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Thoracic and lumbar fractures (wedge)

  • Only unstable if posterior ligament complex ruptures (requires a rotational force)
  • Mechanism: axial loading and flexion
  • Unlikely to cause cord damage
  • Suspect instability and obtain CT if:
    • Severe compression (>50% loss of vertebral height)
    • Kyphosis >30deg
    • Rotational component to injury
    • Compression fracture at multiple sites
    • Posterior cortex abnormality