Classifications in Brief: AO Thoracolumbar Classification System

摘要

Each year, spine injuries account for 6% of all fractures [4, 9, 14]. Of those, 30% to 60% involve the thoracolumbar spine [3, 4, 6, 21]. The presentation of these injuries can vary based on the fracture pattern, stability, and associated neurologic injury. Because managing these spinal fractures is often predicated on these factors, a classification system that incorporates these variables is important to provide a common language for communicating plans. However, establishing a classification system with universal application and utility has been challenging. The AO thoracolumbar system [20 ] is the most current classification system, which expands on previous systems such as the Thoracolumbar Injury Classification System [19 ], to provide a universal language for communicating about thoracolumbar injuries. However, even with a common algorithm for communicating about fractures, this system still has limitations in achieving high levels of agreement among providers in classifying injury. These limitations must be recognized before it can be widely clinically applied.