Thoracic and lumbar compression fractures

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