Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
04:19
Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
Isolated transverse sacral fractures
Alejandro Urzúa1, Bartolomé Marré, Celmira Martínez
1Spine Surgery Unit, Department of Orthopedics, Hospital del Trabajador de Santiago, Ramón Carnicer 201, Providencia, Santiago, Chile. aurzua@hts.cl
The Spine Journal : Official Journal of the North American Spine Society
|December 17, 2011
Summary
Isolated transverse sacral fractures can occur in patients without typical risk factors. Conservative treatment yields excellent outcomes, with patients experiencing pain relief and returning to pre-injury activity levels.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Trauma care
- Radiology
Background:
- Limited literature exists on transverse sacral fractures, typically describing patients with severe injuries or insufficiency fractures.
- This study identifies a distinct group of patients with isolated transverse sacral fractures without these common features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinical presentation of patients with isolated transverse sacral fractures.
- To evaluate the efficacy of conservative treatment for this specific fracture type.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 42 patients with isolated transverse sacral fractures.
- Follow-up averaged 22 months, assessing neurologic recovery, pain, work status, and disability.
- Sacrococcygeal computed tomography (CT) scans confirmed all fractures.
Main Results:
- 80% of fractures resulted from low-energy trauma.
- Only 4.8% of patients experienced transient neurologic impairment.
- All patients reported no local pain at 6 months and returned to their previous activity levels.
Conclusions:
- Transverse sacral fractures should be considered in patients with low-energy trauma and local pain, even without typical risk factors.
- Sacrococcygeal CT scans are recommended due to the difficulty in detecting these fractures on plain X-rays.
- Conservative management is effective, leading to excellent outcomes in this patient group.
