Management of Unstable Fracture-Dislocations of the Spine in Polytrauma Patients.

ABSTRACT

A multidisciplinary and systematic approach is required for the treatment of polytrauma patients with a thoracolumbar fracture-dislocation to provide timely care and prevent iatrogenic injury. Thoracolumbar fracture-dislocations frequently occur in patients who sustain a high-energy mechanism of injury; therefore, they are associated with other orthopaedic and visceral injuries that need to be identified via a systematic protocol. Orthopaedic surgeons must obtain a thorough patient history, perform an appropriate physical examination, and obtain adequate imaging studies to expeditiously treat polytrauma patients with a thoracolumbar fracture-dislocation.