Nonsurgical treatment of thoracolumbar spinal fractures.

Authors

• Mitchel B Harris
• Lewis L Shi
• Alexander R Vacarro
• Thomas A Zdeblick
• Rick C Sasso

Publication/Presentation Date

1-1-2009

Abstract

The transitional anatomy of the thoracolumbar spine makes it vulnerable to injury from high-energy vehicular crashes and falls. The definitive management of patients with thoracolumbar spinal fractures is dependent on the presence and extent of neurologic injury, the presence and magnitude of acute deformity, and an estimate concerning spinal stability. It is well established that neurologic deficits generally improve without surgery. Nonsurgical treatment leads to decreased pain and improved function. Although there is a dearth of high-quality studies comparing surgical with nonsurgical treatment, the natural course of thoracolumbar fractures usually is benign, and nonsurgical methods should be the standard treatment with few exceptions.

Volume

58

First Page

629

Last Page

637

ISSN

0065-6895

Published In/Presented At

Harris, M. B., Shi, L. L., Vacarro, A. R., Zdeblick, T. A., & Sasso, R. C. (2009). Nonsurgical treatment of thoracolumbar spinal fractures. Instructional course lectures, 58, 629–637.

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

19385572

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article