Administrative reason. Lack of funding.

Thoracolumbar fractures are the most common spinal fractures with an average annual incidence between 18 and 30 per 100'000 inhabitants. The majority of these fractures are AO type A3 ("burst fractures"). Although patients with burst fractures report a reduced quality of life and chronic pain, there is no clear evidence whether surgical or conservative treatment offer better functional and back-pain related outcomes. The indications for the selection of an ideal treatment for these fractures without neurological deficits remain controversial. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether patients with thoracolumbar fractures without neurological deficit being surgically treated show faster recovery and better improvement of function than patients being conservatively treated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18-65 years

• Diagnosis of single or multiple stable thoracolumbar fracture(s)

  • Level T10- L3
  • Type AO A3 or A4
  • Radiologically confirmed by Rx or CT

• Fracture induced kyphotic deformity lower or equal to 20-35 degrees

• Definitive treatment (surgical or conservative) within 10 days after injury

• American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale = E (normal )

• Ability to understand patient information / informed consent form

• Willingness and ability to participate in the clinical investigation including imaging and follow-up procedures (FUs)

• Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Open fracture
• Polytrauma
• Pathologic fracture
• Disruption of the posterior ligamentous complex between T10 and L3
• Clinically evident osteoporosis as assessed by the investigator
• Spinal luxation
• Associated severe lesions as assessed by the investigator
• Spinal lesion due to gun or projectile
• Pre-existing spinal column deformity
• Prior spinal surgeries
• BMI > 40 kg/m2
• Any severe medically not managed systemic disease
• Recent history of substance abuse (ie, recreational drugs, alcohol) that would preclude reli-able assessment
• Pregnancy or women planning to conceive within the study period
• Prisoner
• Participation in any other medical device or medicinal product study within the previous month that could influence the results of the present study

140 subjects patients with thoracolumbar fractures will be assigned to ei-ther conservative or surgical treatment depending on the surgeon's decision. Patients will be treated at each institution per standard of care. Surgeons will use their expertise and preferences to determine the method of surgical or conservative intervention.