Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 21, 2025
Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
Predictive factors for conversion from conservatively to surgically treatment osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression
Hoon-Seok Sung1, Sang-Il Kim1, Hyung-Youl Park2
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, 222, Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Korea.
Purpose:
To investigate the relationship between sagittal plane characteristics of the spinal column and conservative treatment failure in acute osteoporotic spinal fractures (OSFs).
Methods:
As a retrospective study of single-institute data, thoracolumbar OSF patients with similar propensities in terms of location of fractures and results of bone mineral density were analyzed. Among them, 43 patients (group I) who needed reconstructive surgical interventions and 39 patients (group II) who obtained successful treatment through conservative care were included. General demographic data, radiographic features of fractures, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of fractures were analyzed. To investigate the relationship between global sagittal alignment of the spine and occurrence of delayed complication following OSFs, radiological sagittal parameters were analyzed.
Results:
The number of cases requiring reconstructive surgery was significantly higher when the index vertebra showed diffuse or mid-portion bone marrow changes in MRI. In terms of sagittal parameters, pelvic incidence (group I 59.1° ± 11.9°, group II 54.6° ± 9.8°) and thoracolumbar angle (group I 26.5° ± 14.1°, group II 17.4° ± 11.2°) were significantly higher in group I. Logistic regression analysis showed that higher pelvic incidence (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.18, p value < 0.05) and higher thoracolumbar angle (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02-1.17, p value < 0.05) were significant risk factors for delayed complications requiring reconstructive surgery following OSFs.
Conclusion:
Delayed complications requiring reconstructive surgery following OSFs are related to sagittal plane parameters of the spine such as high pelvic incidences, in addition to previously known radiographic characteristics of fractures.
