Posterior vertebral injury; is this a burst fracture or a flexion-distraction injury?

Omidi-Kashani, Farzad · Arch Bone Jt Surg · 2014

review · Level V

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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.