Posterior Vertebral Injury; Is This a Burst Fracture or a Flexion-Distraction Injury?

Document Type : SHORT COMMUNICATION

Author

Orthopedic Research Center, Orthopedic Department, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

In thoracolumbar spinal fractures with posterior column injury for applying proper management, it is important to distinguish a flexion-distraction injury (FDI) from a three column burst fracture (BF) as in clinical examination, both may have a similar significant tenderness on direct spinal palpation. Careful attention to the comprehensive clinical examination and detailed imaging features are essential in making an accurate diagnosis and thus appropriate treatment.
 
 

Keywords


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