This 1993 retrospective preliminary report by McLain et al. examines early fixation failures in 19 patients treated with short-segment Cotrel-Dubousset pedicle-screw constructs for thoracolumbar fractures, asking whether posterior-only short-segment fixation is sufficient for unstable injuries.
When you see an unstable thoracolumbar burst fracture being treated with short-segment posterior pedicle screws, think anterior column: if the anterior column is not intact or reconstructed, expect a high rate of progressive kyphosis and screw bending — and avoid in-situ rod contouring, which pre-stresses screws at their most vulnerable point.
This 1993 retrospective preliminary report by McLain et al. examines early fixation failures in 19 patients treated with short-segment Cotrel-Dubousset pedicle-screw constructs for thoracolumbar fractures, asking whether posterior-only short-segment fixation is sufficient for unstable injuries.
When you see an unstable thoracolumbar burst fracture being treated with short-segment posterior pedicle screws, think anterior column: if the anterior column is not intact or reconstructed, expect a high rate of progressive kyphosis and screw bending — and avoid in-situ rod contouring, which pre-stresses screws at their most vulnerable point.