Early mobilization with customized TLSO brace in thoracolumbar burst fractures

Available online at www.aott.org.tr doi:10.3944/AOTT.2012.2830 QR (Quick Response) Code: Objective: This study aimed to research the effectiveness of customized thoracolumbosacral orthosis treatment for stable burst type thoracolumbar vertebral fractures without neurological deficits. Methods: The study included 26 patients (14 males, 12 females; mean age: 46.03 years; range: 18 to 64 years) conservatively treated for thoracolumbar (T11-L2) burst type vertebral fractures according to Denis classification between 2002 and 2009. Etiology were a fall from various heights in 12 patients (46.2%), motor vehicle accidents as an occupant in 7 (26.9%) and as a pedestrian in 4 (15.4%), and simple fall in 3 (11.5%). None of the patients had neurologic deficit and no damage was found in the posterior ligamentous complex in MRI evaluations. Denis pain and functional scales were used in the clinical evaluation. Local kyphosis angle, sagittal index and height loss percentage were measured in the radiologic evaluation. Post-fracture and follow-up values were compared. Mean follow-up period was 41.30 (range: 14 to 80) months