Late kyphosis deformity after posterior internal fixation of thoracolumbar fracture / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

0.05). After operation, in the pedicle screw fixation group the indexes were restored, but the restoration was lost gradually at later follow- up stage. Their superior- inferior endplate angle before operation averaged 19.5? , but 8.6? after operation, and 20.0? at the latest follow- up. Their wedged angle before operation averaged 20.7? , but 9.1? after operation, and 15.9? at the latest follow- up. In the non- pedicle- screw fixation group, the indexes decreased gradually at the later follow- up. Their average superior- inferior endplate angle before operation was 16.6? , 14.6? after operation, and 23.0? at the latest follow- up. Their average wedged angle before operation was 15.6? , 16.6? after operation, and 22? at the latest follow- ups. Conclusions The height of the fractured vertebra may be lost and the wedged vertebra may occur again after surgery but conditions may become stable in 2 years. The spinal kyphosis deformity, however, may go on. Its possible causes are structural changes of the vertebra after surgery, the early degenerative changes of the adjacent intervertebral discs, and osteoporosis.