Research Article

Evaluation of vertebral fractures and associated injuries in adults

Volume: 39 Number: 5 September 11, 2006
  • Erden Erturer
  • Mehmet Tezer
  • Irfan Ozturk
  • Unal Kuzgun
TR EN

Evaluation of vertebral fractures and associated injuries in adults

Abstract

Objectives: We evaluated vertebra fractures and associated injuries in adults to determine the profile of patients presenting with a trauma etiology.
Methods : The study included 372 patients (264 men, 108 women; mean age 30.4 years; range 18 to 65 years) who were treated for vertebra fractures from 1988 to 2003. Evaluations included demographic features of patients, trauma mechanisms, fracture levels and types, treatment modalities, and associated injuries. The types of fractures were assessed according to the Denis classification.
Results : The types of fractures were classified as follows: compression fractures (n=212, 57.0%), burst fractures (n=146, 39.3%), seat belt-induced fractures (n=8, 2.2%), and fracture-dislocations (n=6, 1.6%). Involvement was at one level in 290 patients (77.9%), two levels in 61 patients (16.4%), three levels in 15 patients(4.0%), and four levelsin six patients (1.6%). The most common localization was the thoracolumbar spine (transition zone) with 275 fractures (57.2%). The causes of fractures were fall from height in 211 patients (56.7%), traffic accidents in 145 patients (39.0%), and direct trauma in 16 patients (4.3%). Associated fractures were detected in 110 patients (29.6%), the most common being calcaneus fractures in 35 patients (9.4%). Apart from orthopedic problems, 38 patients (10.2%) had other org a n injuries and/or head trauma. Treatment was conservative in 302 patients (81.2%) and surgical in 70 patients (18.8%).
Conclusion: Every patient presenting after a high-energy trauma should be regarded as having a vertebra fracture until proven otherwise. When a vertebra fracture is detected, investigation should be extended for involvement at other levels and associated injuries.

Keywords

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Care Administration

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Erden Erturer This is me

Mehmet Tezer This is me

Irfan Ozturk This is me

Unal Kuzgun This is me

Publication Date

September 11, 2006

Submission Date

March 7, 2014

Acceptance Date

-

Published in Issue

Year 2005 Volume: 39 Number: 5

APA
Erturer, E., Tezer, M., Ozturk, I., & Kuzgun, U. (2006). Evaluation of vertebral fractures and associated injuries in adults. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica, 39(5), 387-390. https://izlik.org/JA79ZR33MB
AMA
1.Erturer E, Tezer M, Ozturk I, Kuzgun U. Evaluation of vertebral fractures and associated injuries in adults. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica. 2006;39(5):387-390. https://izlik.org/JA79ZR33MB
Chicago
Erturer, Erden, Mehmet Tezer, Irfan Ozturk, and Unal Kuzgun. 2006. “Evaluation of Vertebral Fractures and Associated Injuries in Adults”. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica 39 (5): 387-90. https://izlik.org/JA79ZR33MB.
EndNote
Erturer E, Tezer M, Ozturk I, Kuzgun U (September 1, 2006) Evaluation of vertebral fractures and associated injuries in adults. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica 39 5 387–390.
IEEE
[1]E. Erturer, M. Tezer, I. Ozturk, and U. Kuzgun, “Evaluation of vertebral fractures and associated injuries in adults”, Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica, vol. 39, no. 5, pp. 387–390, Sept. 2006, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA79ZR33MB
ISNAD
Erturer, Erden - Tezer, Mehmet - Ozturk, Irfan - Kuzgun, Unal. “Evaluation of Vertebral Fractures and Associated Injuries in Adults”. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica 39/5 (September 1, 2006): 387-390. https://izlik.org/JA79ZR33MB.
JAMA
1.Erturer E, Tezer M, Ozturk I, Kuzgun U. Evaluation of vertebral fractures and associated injuries in adults. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica. 2006;39:387–390.
MLA
Erturer, Erden, et al. “Evaluation of Vertebral Fractures and Associated Injuries in Adults”. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica, vol. 39, no. 5, Sept. 2006, pp. 387-90, https://izlik.org/JA79ZR33MB.
Vancouver
1.Erden Erturer, Mehmet Tezer, Irfan Ozturk, Unal Kuzgun. Evaluation of vertebral fractures and associated injuries in adults. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica [Internet]. 2006 Sep. 1;39(5):387-90. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA79ZR33MB