Radiographic observation in conservative treatment of fractures of thoraco-lumber spine : compression fracture and burst fracture

This paper is to discuss the usefulness and indication of conservative treatment on fractures of the thoraco-lumbar spine from the view point of radiographic analysis. Compression fracture and burst fracture of the verthvral body are the most common in fractures of the thoraco-lumber spine. 92 cases of fresh compression fracture (106 fractures) and 18 cases of fresh burst fracture (20fractures), which have been treated consetvatively in our hospital by means of either Bohler type cast fixation or conventional brace application after dome period of bed rest, are the subjects of this study. The results by tradiographic follow-up study are