An analysis of conservative (non-surgical) management of thoracolumbar fractures and fracture-dislocations with neural damage.

The cases of thirty-four patients with thoracolumbar lesions were reviewed. The neural recovery rate was substantially the same as in comprehensive reviews of surgical and conservative methods by Dickson et. al. and Burke and Murray. We suggest that reduction and maintenance of vertebral body displacement is the single most important factor in the treatment of such fractures and fracture-dislocations. The loss of correction of an angular deformity, however, does not prejudice neural recovery or physical performance during and after rehabilitation. The results of non-surgical methods in achieving reduction and maintenance of displacement were comparable with the results of surgical methods. The immobilization and hospitalization times were longer than in series that used surgical methods.