Thoracolumbar compression fractures - experimental study and clinical case analysis

Epiphyseal stabilisation and reduction with the use of ligamentotaxis are employed in the surgical treatment of compression fractures of the spine. The mechanism of ligamentotaxis has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, it is fundamental to analyse various clinical data to determine the study area relevant to the elucidation of this mechanism.

We developed criteria for data selection from patient medical records for a newly-created database regarding cases of thoracolumbar vertebral body fractures. We also developed rules for assigning cases to a specific group according to the AO/Magerl classification. The methodology of fracture assessment involved the results of visualization of the spinal segment including the injured vertebral bodies and their virtual and material models. To this end, preoperative CT images were processed with specialised computer software.

A biomechanically-oriented classification of clinical cases in the database was carried out based on 3D-CAD virtual models of spinal segments and models of individual injured vertebral bodies and RP material models in FDM technology. We indicated cases in which ligamentotaxis could be of use.

Our analysis of ligamentotaxis research shows that the focus should be on cases of comminuted and nonosteoporotic fractures. Supporting work-up with 3D-CAD virtual and RP material models of spinal structures appears to be useful not only for the purposes of the present study but also in medical practice.