EXTENSION INJURY OF THE THORACOLUMBAR SPINE

Study Design. This is a report of a patient with a rare fracture in th e thoracolumbar spine. Objectives. To illustrate the previously undesc ribed fracture in the thoracolumbar spine and to propose a new mechani sm of this rare lesion with a literature review. Summary of Background Data. Extension injury of the thoracolumbar spine is uncommon. Althou gh there have been several reports of hyperextension injuries in the t horacolumbar spine, the injury mechanism of the present case was diffe rent from those in the previously reported cases. Methods. The clinica l findings, roentgenographic appearance, treatment, and follow-up resu lt were presented, and the mechanism of this lesion was analyzed. Resu lts. Physical examination revealed no neurologic deficit. Radiographs showed the oblique fracture line extended from the middle region of th e L1-L2 disc to the posteroinferior edge of the L2 vertebral body, wit h the widening of bilateral L2-L3 facet joints. The patient was treate d conservatively with a successful outcome. Two years after his injury , the patient had resumed his previous activity completely. Conclusion s. The authors considered that the mechanism of this rare injury was a combination of hyperextension force and axial loading.