RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Nonoperative Management of Isolated Thoracolumbar Flexion Distraction Injuries: A Single-Center Study
JF International Journal of Spine Surgery
JO Int J Spine Surg
FD International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery
SP 8619
DO 10.14444/8619
A1 Reed Butler
A1 Connor Donley
A1 Zuhair Mohammed
A1 Jacob Lepard
A1 Eric Vess
A1 Nicholas Andrews
A1 Gerald McGwin
A1 Sakthivel Rajaram
A1 Steven M. Theiss
YR 2024
UL https://www.ijssurgery.com/content/early/2024/07/05/8619.abstract
AB Background Nonoperative management is an appealing option for purely transosseous thoracolumbar flexion-distraction injuries given the prospects of osseous healing and restoration of the posterior tension band complex. This study seeks to examine differences in outcomes following flexion-distraction injuries after operative and nonoperative management.Methods This study reviews all patients at a single Level 1 trauma center from 2004 to 2022 with AO Spine B1 thoracolumbar injuries treated operatively vs nonoperatively. Inclusion criteria were age greater than 16 years, computed tomography-confirmed transosseous flexion-distraction injuries, and at least 3 months of follow-up with available imaging. The primary outcome assessed was a change in local Cobb angles, with secondary outcomes consisting of complications, time to return to work, and need for subsequent operative fixation.Results Initial Cobb angles in the operative (n = 14) vs nonoperative group (n = 13) were −5° and −13°, respectively (P = 0.225), indicating kyphotic alignment in both cohorts. We noted a significant difference in Cobb angles between cohorts at first follow-up (2.6° and −13.9°, P = 0.015) and within the operative cohort from presentation to first follow-up (P = 0.029). At the second follow-up, there was no significant difference in Cobb angles between cohorts (3.6° and −12.6°, P = 0.07). No significant differences were noted in complication rates (P = 1), time to return to work (P = 0.193), or resolution of subjective back pain (P = 0.193). No crossover was noted.Conclusions Nonoperative management of minimally displaced transosseous flexion-distraction injuries is a safe alternative to surgery. Patient factors, such as compliance with follow-up, and location of the injury should be factored into the surgeon’s management recommendation.Clinical Relevance Overall, no significant differences in outcomes and complications were noted following nonoperative management of AO Spine B1 injuries, indicating the potential for these injuries to be managed conservatively.Level of Evidence 3.