Assessment of load-sharing thoracolumbar injury: A modified scoring system

Table 1 Loading-sharing thoracolumbar injury score

Qualifier	Points
Morphology
Compression1
Comminution/involvement
≤ 1/3 comminution	0.5
1/3-2/3 comminution	1
> 2/3 comminution	1.5
Apposition of fragments
< 2 mm displacement of ≤ 6 regions of body	0.5
≥ 2 mm displacement of ≤ 4 regions of body	1
(or < 2 mm displacement of > 6 regions of body)
≥ 2 mm displacement of > 4 regions of body	1.5
Deformity correction
Kyphotic correction ≤ 3°	0.5
Kyphotic correction 4°-9°	1
Kyphotic correction ≥ 10°	1.5
Translation/rotational	3
Distraction	4
Neurologic status
Intact	0
Nerve root	2
Cord, conus medullaris
Incomplete	3
Complete	2
Cauda equina	3
Posterior ligamentous complex
Intact	0
Injury suspected/indeterminate	2
Injured	3

¹Illustration can be seen in Figure 1.

Table 2 Patient demographics, n = 102

Variables
Gender
Male	62
Female	40
Mean age ± SD in yr	42 ± 7.18
Recommended-actual1
NS-S	10
S-S	44
S-NS	17
NS-NS	31
Fracture vertebrae
T11	2
T12	12
L1	50
L2	38

¹Load-sharing thoracolumbar injury score recommendation-Actual clinical decision. NS: Non-surgery; S: Surgery.

Table 3 Chi-square test for prognosis

	Poor prognosis, No.	Good prognosis, No.	Pearson χ2 test
Matching group	12	58	P = 0.000185
Non-matching group	17	15