title: Risk Factors and Compression and Kyphosis Rates after 1 Year in Patients with AO type A Thoracic, Thoracolumbar, and Lumbar Fractures Treated Conservatively.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Conservative treatment is a frequently used treatment modality for traumatic thoracolumbar fractures. However, not many studies evaluating radiological and clinical results of conservative treatment are found. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors, and compression and kyphosis rates after 1 year in patients with AO type A thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbar fractures treated conservatively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Radiological and clinical results of 79 thoracolumbar fractures in 57 patients, who were treated conservatively, were evaluated one year after trauma. Fractures were classified according to thoracolumbar injury classification and severity (TLICS) score and AO spinal trauma classification system. Compression rate, wedge and kyphosis angles, and sagittal index were calculated in early and late periods after trauma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Female/male ratio was 25/32, and mean age was 41.7±16.7 years. They were followed for 15.2±4.9 months. Mean compression rates were 19.6% and 25.2%; wedge angles were 10.1 and 12.7 degrees; kyphosis angles were 5.82 and 8.9 degrees; and sagittal indexes were 8.01 and 10.13 in all patients just after trauma and after one year, respectively. Fractures in older patients ( > 60 years of age) and in patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis, located in the thoracolumbar junction, AO type A2 and A3 fractures, and solitary fractures had higher compression and kyphosis rates at last follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early mobilization without bed rest for stable thoracolumbar fractures according to the TLICS system is a good treatment option, and radiological and clinical results are usually acceptable. However, fractures in patients older than 60 years, those with osteoporosis or osteopenia, fractures located in the thoracolumbar junction, solitary fractures, and fractures in AO type A2 or A3, are more inclined to increase in compression and kyphosis and may require a closer follow-up.
authors.affiliation: University of Health Sciences, Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, Neurosurgery Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Feyza Karagoz
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Guzey
authors.forename: Burak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Eren
authors.forename: Azmi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tufan
authors.forename: Ozgur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Aktas
authors.forename: Cihan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Isler
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vatansever
authors.forename: Abdurrahim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tas
authors.forename: Eyup
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cetin
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yucel
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ornek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000072700:Conservative Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries