title: Biomechanics of thoracolumbar burst fractures: methods of induction and treatments.
abstract: Much controversy exists regarding the mechanism of burst fracture (BF) induction and the proper techniques to treat such fractures. As such, there is a great need for validated preclinical models in which to study these injuries. In this study, an electronic search of the PubMed database (MEDLINE) was performed and the results were filtered to obtain only studies with a biomechanical focus. Forty five biomechanical studies were obtained, from which four distinct methods of injury induction were identified. Twenty one (46.7%) involved clinically relevant techniques for treating BF, involving anterior, posterior, circumferential, or a combination of approaches. Fifteen (71.4%) of the treatment studies used unstable spine specimens that do not fit the classical characteristics of BF. Given the consistent use of BF models that do not adhere to classical definitions, the clinical value of ex vivo induction is uncertain.
authors: Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair Street, Suite 2210, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors: Shayan
authors: S
authors: Fakurnejad
authors: Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair Street, Suite 2210, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors: Justin K
authors: JK
authors: Scheer
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Loyola University, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA; Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory, Rehabilitation Research and Development Center, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA.
authors: Avinash G
authors: AG
authors: Patwardhan
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Loyola University, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA; Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory, Rehabilitation Research and Development Center, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA.
authors: Robert M
authors: RM
authors: Havey
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Loyola University, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA; Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory, Rehabilitation Research and Development Center, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA.
authors: Leonard I
authors: LI
authors: Voronov
authors: Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair Street, Suite 2210, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. Electronic address: zsmith@nmff.org.
authors: Zachary A
authors: ZA
authors: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D016239:MEDLINE / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae
keywords: Biomechanics; Burst fracture; Spine; Thoracolumbar