The majority of thoracolumbar spine fractures and fracture dislocation
s may be considered acute sagittal plane deformities, Unstable thoraco
lumbar spine injuries require stabilization to (1) allow mobilization
of the patient to prevent pulmonary and venous complications; (2) to r
elieve pain; (3) to realign the spine and spinal canal, and (4) to dec
ompress directly or indirectly the neural elements, Posterior spinal i
nstrumentation is a safe, available, familiar, and effective method to
achieve these goals, Posterior spinal instrumentation techniques used
rod hook systems or screw rod and screw plate systems, Most of these
unstable injuries can be managed using these well established techniqu
es without the need for additional combined or staged anterior spinal
surgery.