Clinical review of the early stability of spine injuries.

One hundred fifteen cervical fractures, 51 thoracic and lumbar major fractures, 214 compression fractures, and 34 transverse process fractures from Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center and Rancho Los Amigos Hospital were reviewed. Epidemiology, fracture type, and early results of treatment in terms of musculoskeletal and neurologic stability were studied. Flexion-rotation fractures of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine showed significant loss of reduction when not treated with operative internal fixation. Operative intervention did not influence the neurologic outcome. Laminectomy resulted in progressive deformity and a significantly increased incidence of second operations. Epidemiology indicated changing patterns of fracture.