title: The early management of thoracolumbar fractures by open reduction and internal fixation.
abstract: Twenty-eight patients with thoracolumbar fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation with Harrington instrumentation are reviewed. An unresolved problem is the selection of patients for surgical management. It is a major operation requiring a surgeon experienced in both the care of spinal cord injuries and the use of spinal instrumentation. The technique permits more rapid mobilization, retraining and rehabilitation than nonoperative management.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery