Extension injury of the thoracolumbar spine.
METHODS
This is a report of a patient with a rare fracture in the thoracolumbar spine.


OBJECTIVE
To illustrate the previously undescribed fracture in the thoracolumbar spine and to propose a new mechanism of this rare lesion with a literature review.


BACKGROUND
Extension injury of the thoracolumbar spine is uncommon. Although there have been several reports of hyperextension injuries in the thoracolumbar spine, the injury mechanism of the present case was different from those in the previously reported cases.


METHODS
The clinical findings, roentgenographic appearance, treatment, and follow-up result were presented, and the mechanism of this lesion was analyzed.


RESULTS
Physical examination revealed no neurologic deficit. Radiographs showed the oblique fracture line extended from the middle region of the L1-L2 disc to the posteroinferior edge of the L2 vertebral body, with the widening of bilateral L2-L3 facet joints. The patient was treated conservatively with a successful outcome. Two years after his injury, the patient had resumed his previous activity completely.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors considered that the mechanism of this rare injury was a combination of hyperextension force and axial loading.
Nabeshima
Y
Y
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hyogo Prefectural Kakogawa Hospital, Japan.
Iguchi
T
T
Matsubara
N
N
Kinoshita
S
S
Kurosaka
M
M
Mizuno
K
K
D000328:Adult; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012865:Skiing / Q000293:injuries; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed