title: Recumbency in thoracolumbar fractures.
abstract: Fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine are often treated successfully without surgery. Patients best suited for recumbency are those without deficit and minimal angular deformity and canal compromise. Angulation less than 20 dg, residual spinal canal of 50% or greater, and an anterior body height greater than 50% of the posterior height were additional criteria used in selecting recumbency. Patients were kept at bed rest for 1 to 4 weeks or until their pain resolved. They were then mobilized gradually in molded thoracolumbar orthoses for 3 to 5 months with sequential radiographs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Hitchon
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Torner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001510:Bed Rest; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed