Spring alloplasty in the treatment of fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spines. A correlation of the results of treatment with the mechanism of injury.

We describe 270 patients with spinal injuries who were treated by spring alloplasty between 1971 and 1985. The radiological results were compared with the mechanism of injury. The best outcome was obtained in patients with a spinal dislocation or flexion fracture. The technique is also recommended in compression fractures with wedging of the vertebral body, where there is a smaller proportion of good radiological results, but a gratifying improvement in neurological and functional outcome. The method is only cautiously advocated in cases of facet joint fracture and is generally contraindicated in massive compression fractures.