Thoracolumbar "burst" fractures treated conservatively: a long-term follow-up.

This report addresses the long-term results of nonoperative treatment for fractures of the thoracolumbar spine. Forty-two patients meeting specified inclusion criteria were contacted and completed questionnaires. In all cases, nonoperative treatment was the only treatment received.

Long-term follow-up of nonoperatively treated thoracolumbar spine fractures.

Little information is available regarding the long-term results of nonoperative treatment for fractures of the thoracolumbar spine. One thousand six hundred ninety-one fractures of the spine seen at the University of Iowa from 1935 to 1975 were reviewed; 83 fractures met strict inclusion criteria of fractures involving T10-L5. In all cases, nonoperative treatment was the only treatment received.