AOSpine Thoracolumbar

Classification System
Type A. Type B. Type C.
Compression Injuries Distraction Injuries Translation Injuries

A0. Minor, nonstructural B1. Transosseous tension C. Displacement /

fractures band disruption / Dislocation
Chance fracture

B2. Posterior tension B3. Hyperextension

band disruption
A1. Wedge-compression

A2. Split A3. Incomplete burst A4. Complete burst

Contact: research@aospine.org
Further information: www.aospine.org/classification
AOSpine Thoracolumbar
Classification System
Algorithm for Morphologic Classification
START

Displacement/
Dislocation
YES C Translation

NO

Anterior YES B3 Hyperextension

Tension
band YES
Osseoligamentous
Osseoligamentous
injury
disruption
YES B2 disruption
Posterior
Mono-segmental Pure transosseous
osseous disruption
YES B1 disruption

NO

Vertebral Both
YES A4 Complete burst
body YES endplates
fracture involved
NO A3 Incomplete burst
Posterior wall YES
involvement
NO Both
YES A2 Split/Pincer
NO endplates
involved
NO A1 Wedge/Impaction
Vertebral
process YES A0 Insignificant injury
fracture

NO No injury

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