• In these injuries to thoracolumbar spine, the most constant finding is the tearing of interspinous ligament.
• They may be caused by a heavy object falling on a person in stooping position.
• Injuries include crush, slice fracture with dislocation and dislocation with locked facets
• It is common to have spinal cord damage in these injuries.

• History:
• Inspection:
• Palpation
• X-ray

• Treat with bed rest for about 7-10 days.

Unstable

• Try to correct and make fracture stable if possible
• Apply plaster jacket from manubrium sterni to symphysis pubis in minimal extension for 3 months
• If there is paraplegia, allow body union which may take 6-8 weeks, then mobilize patient.
• Use surgical intervention in locked dislocation.
• Use plate and blots to stabilize spine through application to spinous processes.