Abstract
Thoracolumbar trauma in the elderly can cause devastating neurological consequences that must be carefully managed taking into consideration the unique medical and biomechanical factors specific to the elderly. Although the most common mechanism of thoracolumbar trauma in the general population is trauma from motor vehicle accidents, falls are the leading cause in the elderly. The higher prevalence of osteoporosis and spinal ankylosing disorders seen in the elderly combined with increased medical comorbidities add complexity to the management of thoracolumbar trauma in the elderly. Conservative management, including analgesics, early mobility, and orthotic braces, are initially used for stable fractures without neurological deficits. Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are commonly employed less invasive operative strategies to stabilize and possibly restore vertebral height and improve pain. These procedures can also be combined with pedicle screws and rod fixation for unstable fractures. This chapter will explore unique medical and biomechanical factors to consider in thoracolumbar trauma of the elderly and current conservative and operative management and discuss the related potential medical and surgical complications.
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Han, N.B., Sansur, C.A., Crandall, K.M. (2023). Thoracolumbar Trauma in the Elderly. In: Fu, KM.G., Wang, M.Y., Virk, M.S., Dimar II, J.R., Mummaneni, P.V. (eds) Treatment of Spine Disease in the Elderly. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-12612-3_19
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