Thoraco-lumbar Burst Fractures among Patients Admitted to Spine Unit of the Department of Orthopedics of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Burst fractures are the most common fractures in the thoracolumbar junction. Unstable burst fractures are mostly associated with neural injury. Early neurological and mechanical stabilisation are the goals of treatment. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of thoracolumbar burst fractures among patients admitted to the spine unit of the Department of Orthopedics of a tertiary care centre.

METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done in a tertiary care centre from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021 after receiving ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 079/80-11/BHG). Demographic details, mode of injury, morphology, neurological level, and neurological grade using the American Association of Spinal injury, Visual analogue Scale, Oswestry Disability Index and kyphotic angle were recorded. A convenience sampling method was used. Point estimate and 90% Confidence Interval were calculated.

RESULTS: Among 85 patients, the thoracolumbar burst fractures was found in 30 (35.25%) (26.73-43.77, 90% Confidence Interval). The mean age of patients was 39.73±13.91 years.

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of thoracolumbar burst fracture was similar to other studies done in similar settings.

KEYWORDS: fracture; injuries; prevalence; spine.