(ii) Thoracolumbar spinal fractures: review of anatomy, biomechanics, classification and treatment

The management of thoracolumbar spine fractures remains a controversial issue. There is disagreement both as to how to describe these injuries and how to manage them.No ideal classification system, accepted by the world of spinal surgery, exists and such systems are under on-going development. While the majority of these injuries can be managed conservatively, new surgical techniques have been developed alongside the evolution of diagnostic tools classification systems.This article aims to revise important concepts that may help surgeons in training to understand spinal injuries and the modern approach to the management of thoracolumbar trauma.We describe relevant thoracolumbar spine anatomy and biomechanics followed by a discussion of historical and modern classification systems, and the treatment methods available to surgeons.