Thoracolumbar Fractures

Thoracolumbar fractures represent a broad category of relatively common injuries, which range from an incidental radiographic finding to an unstable pattern with profound neurologic compromise. There are many nuances to patient management that must be addressed including ensuring the patient is appropriately stabilized in the emergency department, relevant imaging is ordered, and an understanding of the fracture to ensure the patient receives the appropriate management for his/her injury. In cases of operatively managed cases, there are a multitude of management strategies that a provider can utilize, ranging from minimally invasive to open circumferential treatment, each with their own risk profiles.