Burst Fractures

Burst fractures most often occur in the thoracolumbar spine, around T-11 through L2. Burst fractures are usually the result of some sort of trauma to the spine such as a motor vehicle accident or fall. These fractures can occur in patients of any age. Treatment does vary for these injuries. Neurosurgeons will evaluate images from CT and MRI. If the patient is not paralyzed and has no significant canal compromise then normally a brace is in order for the patient. The physician will monitor healing by obtaining lateral radiographs of the fracture sight to document healing. If patient has paralysis that is not resolving with canal compromise, then surgery to decompress the stenosis will need to be performed. I have attached some CT images demonstrating this deformity.