OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between sagittal collapse, implant failure and load sharing classification of patients suffering a thoracolumbar burst fracture treated with posterior instrumentation. METHODS: Retrospective review of radiographs and medical records of 26 patients operated on between January 1990 and December 2006. Kyphotic worsening (Cobb), neurologic dysfunction (Frankel) and the failure of surgical treatment (implant breaking or loosening) were studied. RESULTS: No relationship was found between kyphotic deformity and higher scores in the load sharing classification (r = 0,221; P = 0,322). No relationship was found between implant failure and this classification. (p = 0.85). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that this classification is not applicable in patients with an arthrodesis larger than one unit above and below the fracture.
Spinal fractures; Thoracic vertebrae; Lumbar vertebrae; Treatment outcome; Human; Weight-Bearing
