Conservative management of burst fractures of the fifth lumbar vertebra.

Isolated fractures of the lumbar fifth vertebrae (L5) are very rare, and there is little information in the literature regarding comparisons between conservative management and surgical treatment of this entity. This retrospective analysis reports on five cases of isolated burst fractures of the fifth lumbar vertebra without neurologic deficit. All cases were managed nonoperatively with a short period of bed rest followed by protected mobilization. The current study reveals that conservative management is appropriate in the cases of burst fractures of the fifth lumbar vertebra with minimal canal compromise, with little deformity, and without neurologic damage.