[Hyperextension injuries of the thoracolumbar spine].

A group of 965 patients treated for thoracolumbal spine injury in the period 1998 till 2003 were analysed. 307 fractures were operated on. Out of this number, 4 fractures were type B3 according to Magerl's classification, i. e. 0.21 % of the admitted and 1.31 % of the operated patients. All 4 patients were operated by stabilization with internal fixator and posterior or combined fusion. Fractures were diagnosed in older patients, age average being 63.75 years, with the range of 57-72 years. All patients were obese, average body mass index being 32.75, with the range of 30.9 to 36.4. Fractures ensued two times in patients with heavy spondylarthrosis and spondylosis, once in ankylosing spondylitis and once in intact spine. Only one patient was injured by heavy trauma, the others sustained the injury during ordinary falls. One of the predisposing factors for occurrence of this injury is probably the increased body mass index resulting in increased moment of deceleration hyperextension force.