Reliability of the Column Theory to Evaluate Thoracolumbar Spinal Instability
Tarek Aly, El-Sayed
Citation Information :
Aly T, El-Sayed. Reliability of the Column Theory to Evaluate Thoracolumbar Spinal Instability. J Spinal Surg 2014; 1 (1):25-27.
In this study, we try to correlate the column theory of the spine with the preoperative and postoperative clinical and radiological findings.
Patients and methods
One hundred and twenty-two patients with unstable thoracolumbar or lumbar spine treated surgically were studied. The patients were classified according to their pathogenesis into three groups (trauma, 75 patients, tumor, 30 patients and infection, 17 patients, groups). All patients were also classified according to the three column theory. Detailed radiographic analysis of the vertebra (e) involved was done at admission, at mobilization, and at follow-up. Neurologic assessment was performed using modified Frankel grading scale.
Results
The results of this study did not support the column theory for evaluation of spinal instability. Comparing each group separately does not reveal any significant relationship between the number of the columns involved and radiographic or neurologic findings either before or after surgery.
Conclusion
Spine instability concept is still dilemma and evolving matter. More research is required for better understanding of the nature of the spine and its loading characters.
How to cite this article
Aly T, Sayed E. Reliability of the Column Theory to evaluate Thoracolumbar Spinal Instability. J Spinal Surg 2014;1(1):25-27.
Fractures, dislocations and fracture-dislocations the spine. J bone Joint Surg (Br) 1963;45(3):6-20.
The three column spine and its significance in the classification of acute thoracolumbar spinal injuries. Spine 1983;8:817-831.
Thoracolumbar spine injuries: classification. Current Orthop 1988;2(4):214-217.
Outline for study of scoliosis. Instructional course lectures (The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery). Ann Arbor, Edwards 1948;5:261-275.
Surgical management of thoracolumbar spine fractures with incomplete neurologic deficits. Clin Orthop 1987;218:201-216.
Biomechanical evaluation of lumbar spinal instability after graded facetectomies. Spine 1990;15:142-147.
The nature of instability. Spine 1984;714-719.
Segmental instability: rationale for treatment. Spine 1985;10:280-286.
Lumbar spine instability: a critical update and symposium summary. Spine 1985;10:290-291.
Unstable thoracolumbar fractures. A study by CT and conventional roentgenology of the reduction effect of harrington instrumentation. Spine 1984;9:214-219.
Centrode patterns and segmental instability in degenerative disc disease. Spine 1985;10:257-261.
Clinical biomechanics of the spine. Philadelphia: JB. Lippincott 1978.
The value of computed tomography in thoracolumbar fractures. J Bone Joint Surg (Am) 1983;64:461-473.
The contribution of the columns theory of the spine to rotational stability. Spine 1989;14:663-669.
An anatomic basis for spinal instability: a pocrine trauma model. L Orthop Res 1991;9:452-462.
A biomechanical analysis of the clinical instability of the lumbar and lumbosacral instability spine. Spine 1982;7:374-389.
Biomechanical evaluation of the stability of thoracolumbar burst fractures. Spine 1994;19:1731-1740.
Validity of the three column theory of thoracolumbar fractures. A biomechanical Investigations. Spine 1995;20:1122-1127.
