File:Types of vertebral compressive fracture.png

Summary

The fractures observed were classified according to the following scheme (see Figure 13):

• Stellate fracture of the endplate (stellate): two or more cracks running from the centre towards the periphery of the endplate;
• Step-like fracture of the endplate (step): a crack in the endplate with a distinctly visible step of 1-4 mm height;
• Endplate depression (depression): endplate deformed into a bowl shape, the trabecular bone below the endplate fractured;
• Transverse fracture (transverse): transverse fracture through the whole vertebra, usually in its midplane;
• Edge fracture (ed ventral or dorsal): wedge-like fracture of the edge of the vertebral body;
• Y-fracture (y-fract): combination of a depression of the endplate with a fracture line approximately in the axis of the vertebra;
• Disc intrusion (intr): intrusion of disc material into the trabecular bone observed in combination with some of the above fracture types

Licencing

Brinckmann P, Biggemann M, Hilweg D. Prediction of the compressive strength of human lumbar vertebrae. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 1989;4 Suppl 2:iii-27. doi: 10.1016/0268-0033(89)90071-5. PMID: 23906213. This file is copyrighted, and is reproduced in a limited way under the fair-use doctrine. It falls under the "Non-profit educational" clause of the Fair Use doctrine.