Traumatic thoracic and lumbar spinal fractures: operative or nonoperative treatment: comparison of two treatment strategies by means of surgeon equipoise.

Study Design: A center parallel cohort study with blinded inclusion based on clinical equipoise.

Objective: To compare outcomes of nonoperative and operative treatment strategies in terms of quality of life and neurologic and functional status.

Summary Of Background Data: Despite a considerable body of literature, sound evidence regarding the optimal treatment for traumatic thoracic and lumbar spine fractures is lacking.