• Wedge compression fractures

• Account for 50 – 70% of all thoracolumbar compression fractures
• Usually results from motor vehicle collisions and falls where an axial load is applied to the spine in flexion causing injury to the anterior column without posterior column injury
• Best seen on the lateral radiograph
• Simple wedge fractures are stable and have no associated neurologic injury
• Instability is present if
  • There is severe compression (>50%)
  • Kyphosis greater than 20 degrees
  • Multilevel compression fractures

 

 

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