Post-traumatic lumbar nerve root entrapment into the spinous process of the lumbar spine

Thoracolumbar fractures constitute a significant portion of spinal trauma, accounting for 15-20% of the cases. These fractures, caused by high-impact injuries, may involve tears of the posterior ligamentous complex, presenting a high chance of neurological injury ranging from dural tears to spinal root avulsion. This case report discusses a rare occurrence of avulsion of lumbosacral nerve roots posteriorly, becoming entrapped in the fractured spinous process of the L2 lumbar vertebra, leading to cauda equina syndrome following trauma and its implications during surgery.