Comparision of Classifications in the Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

The classification of thoracolumbar spinal injuries has been based on morphological criteria, mechanism or both. Recently Denis and Macfee insisted no the middle column of the spine but their classification is useful as a morphologic description. Especially, the classification and decision of treatment are difficult in the burst fracture. So we have applied the new classification described by Gertzbein that considers the morphologic patterns and mechanism of injury and compared with another classifications. We studied 28 cases of the thoracolumbar burst fracture who were treated and followed up at Wonkwang university hospital from May, 1988 to March, 1992. We classified burst fracture according to the three kind of classifications and CT finding. 1. The burst fracture associated with flexion-distraction injury was revealed 5 cases(about 18%). 2. In the treatment, Type A injuries requires the use of distractive and type B requires compressive forces in the correcting the deformity.