Contiguous Burst Fractures of the Lumbar Spine

Burst fractures of vertebrae are usually caused by high-energy axial compression force, mostly caused by fall from height or road traffic accidents. They frequently occur at the thoracolumbar junction mostly requiring surgery. Contiguous burst fractures involving multiple lumbar vertebrae are uncommon. This case is a male in his early 40s presented with low back pain and weakness of lower limbs following an injury sustained during a road traffic accident. Clinically, the patient had a bilateral foot drop. On radiological evaluation, he was diagnosed to have L3 and L4 burst fractures with spinal canal occlusion. He underwent posterior stabilization from L2-L5 and decompression at the L3-L4 level. At one-year follow-up, the patient was pain-free with complete neurological recovery. Contiguous lumbar spine burst fractures are very rare in occurrence. Though burst fractures are managed surgically to provide stability, the surgical approaches depend on the individual fracture pattern, degree of spinal canal occlusion, and neurological status.