Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the results of one-level posterior spinal fixation in terms of vertebral height and improvement of neurological status in thoracolumbar spine fractures.
Methodology: This prospective study was conducted at the Orthopedic and Spine Department of Khyber Teaching Hospital from July 2020 to January 2024. It included 58 patients aged 18–65. All had single-level A3 or A4 fractures (AO classification) and underwent posterior short-segment fixation. Neurological status was evaluated using the American Spinal Injury Association score.
Results: Among the 58 patients, 43.1% were female and 56.7% male. Most patients, 17(29.3%), had ASIA type C, and 17(29.3%) had ASIA type D. Meanwhile, 8 (13.8%) had type B and 16 (27.6%) had type A ASIA grade. There was not a single patient with a neurologic deficit. Stratification of the outcome with pre-operative vertebral height did not show any significant difference.
Conclusion: Posterior short-segment fixation significantly improved vertebral height and neurological status in thoracolumbar fractures, with no implant failures observed. This technique was a safe and effective method for spinal stabilization.

Key words: Fusion, posterior instrumentation, short segment, thoracolumbar fractures, vertebral height.