Lumbar Spine Fractures and Dislocations eMedicine Orthopedics

Description: Each year, more than 150,000 persons in North America sustain fractures of the vertebral column. Injuries to the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine constitute most of these fractures. The immediate neurologic damage that accompanies the bony destruction results in nearly 5000 cases of paraplegia per year. The mechanisms and severity of injuries reflect a mechanized and risk-taking culture. This article reviews the diagnosis and management of acute lumbar vertebral fractures.
Synonyms and related keywords: spinal fractures, acute spinal injuries, lumbar vertebral fractures, thoracolumbar injuries, lumbar injuries, paraplegia, tetraplegia, spinal cord injury, broken back
Federico C Vinas, MD 2007