Thoracolumbar spine fracture often leads to severe pain, functional impairments, and neurological deficits, for which open reduction and internal fixation can effectively restore the spinal structural stability. Open decompression and reduction with internal fixation can help relieve spinal cord compression and improve spinal function in cases of concomitant cord injury. Although spinal stability can be restored through surgery, patients often face chronic pain and functional impairments postoperatively. A postoperative rehabilitation program is critical in optimizing therapeutic outcomes, reducing complications, and minimizing the risk of secondary injuries. However, current rehabilitation methods, such as physical therapy, functional training, and pain management, are confronted with problems in clinical practice, including significant variation in efficacy, poor patient adherence, and prolonged rehabilitation period. There is an urgent need for a unified rehabilitation strategy to address these problems. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Physicians Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and the Spine Health Professional Committee of the Chinese Human Health Technology Promotion Association organized experts from relevant fields to formulate Evidence-based guidelines for rehabilitation treatment after internal fixation of thoracolumbar spine fracture in adults ( version 2025) by integrating evidences from clinical researches and advanced rehabilitation concepts at home and abroad. A total number of 14 recommendations concerning the rehabilitation treatment with multimodal analgesia, psychological intervention, deep vein thrombosis prevention, core muscle and extremity exercise, appropriate use of braces, early weight-bearing, device-aided rehabilitation exercise, neuroregulatory therapy, rehabilitation team were put forward, aiming to standardize the post-operative rehabilitation process following internal fixation, promote the functional recovery, and enhance patients′ quality of life.

Acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture (ASOTLF) can lead to chronic low back pain, kyphosis deformity, pulmonary dysfunction, loss of mobility, and even life-threatening complications. Vertebral augmentation is currently the mainstream treatment method for this condition. In 2019, the Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Trauma and the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Surgeons Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association collaboratively led the development of Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation for acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures. Six years later, with advances in clinical diagnosis and treatment techniques as well as accumulating evidence in related fields, the 2019 guideline requires updating. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Surgeons Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, the Spinal Health Professional Committee of China Human Health Science and Technology Promotion Association, and the Minimally Invasive Orthopedics Professional Committee of Shaanxi Medical Doctor Association have organized experts in the field to develop the Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation of acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025) , based on the latest evidence-based medical researches. This guideline incorporates 3 recommendations retained from the 2019 version with updated strength of evidence, along with 12 new recommendations. It provides recommendations from six aspects of diagnosis, pain management, treatment option selection, prevention of postoperative complications, anti-osteoporosis therapy, and postoperative rehabilitation, aiming to provide a reference for standard treatment of vertebral augmentation for ASOTLF in hospitals at all levels.

Thoracolumbar spine fracture often leads to severe pain, functional impairments, and neurological deficits, for which open reduction and internal fixation can effectively restore the spinal structural stability. Open decompression and reduction with internal fixation can help relieve spinal cord compression and improve spinal function in cases of concomitant cord injury. Although spinal stability can be restored through surgery, patients often face chronic pain and functional impairments postoperatively. A postoperative rehabilitation program is critical in optimizing therapeutic outcomes, reducing complications, and minimizing the risk of secondary injuries. However, current rehabilitation methods, such as physical therapy, functional training, and pain management, are confronted with problems in clinical practice, including significant variation in efficacy, poor patient adherence, and prolonged rehabilitation period. There is an urgent need for a unified rehabilitation strategy to address these problems. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Physicians Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and the Spine Health Professional Committee of the Chinese Human Health Technology Promotion Association organized experts from relevant fields to formulate Evidence-based guidelines for rehabilitation treatment after internal fixation of thoracolumbar spine fracture in adults ( version 2025) by integrating evidences from clinical researches and advanced rehabilitation concepts at home and abroad. A total number of 14 recommendations concerning the rehabilitation treatment with multimodal analgesia, psychological intervention, deep vein thrombosis prevention, core muscle and extremity exercise, appropriate use of braces, early weight-bearing, device-aided rehabilitation exercise, neuroregulatory therapy, rehabilitation team were put forward, aiming to standardize the post-operative rehabilitation process following internal fixation, promote the functional recovery, and enhance patients′ quality of life.

Acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture (ASOTLF) can lead to chronic low back pain, kyphosis deformity, pulmonary dysfunction, loss of mobility, and even life-threatening complications. Vertebral augmentation is currently the mainstream treatment method for this condition. In 2019, the Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Trauma and the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Surgeons Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association collaboratively led the development of Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation for acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures. Six years later, with advances in clinical diagnosis and treatment techniques as well as accumulating evidence in related fields, the 2019 guideline requires updating. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Surgeons Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, the Spinal Health Professional Committee of China Human Health Science and Technology Promotion Association, and the Minimally Invasive Orthopedics Professional Committee of Shaanxi Medical Doctor Association have organized experts in the field to develop the Clinical guideline for vertebral augmentation of acute symptomatic osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025) , based on the latest evidence-based medical researches. This guideline incorporates 3 recommendations retained from the 2019 version with updated strength of evidence, along with 12 new recommendations. It provides recommendations from six aspects of diagnosis, pain management, treatment option selection, prevention of postoperative complications, anti-osteoporosis therapy, and postoperative rehabilitation, aiming to provide a reference for standard treatment of vertebral augmentation for ASOTLF in hospitals at all levels.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) versus vertebroplasty (VP) combined with long segment fixation for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures with kyphosis.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 72 patients with nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures with kyphosis admitted to Jiangnan Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2010 to December 2017. There were 16 males and 56 females, aged 55-84 years [(68.2±5.2)years]. Level of injury was located at T 11 in 3 patients, at T 12 in 19, at L 1 in 31, and at L 2 in 19. According to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification, 31 patients were scaled as grade D and 41 grade E. Overall, 51 patients were treated with PSO combined with long segment fixation (PSO group) and 21 patients treated with VP combined with long segment fixation (VP group). The operation time and bleeding volume were compared between the two groups. Before operation, at postoperative 2 weeks and at the last follow-up, the kyphotic Cobb angle, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), thoracic kyphosis (TK) and lumbar kyphosis (LL) were used to evaluate the osteotomy effect, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used to evaluate the degree of pain and lumbar function recovery. The improvement of ASIA grade was observed at the last follow-up. The complications were observed as well. Results:All patients were followed up for 24-46 months [(33.2±5.9)months].The operation time and bleeding volume were more in PSO group than in VP group (all P<0.01). Before operation, the kyphotic Cobb angle, SVA, TK and LL were not significantly different between the two groups (all P>0.05). At postoperative 2 weeks, TK was not significantly different between the two groups ( P>0.05), while PSO group showed significantly decrease of kyphotic Cobb angle and SVA and increase of LL when compared with VP group ( P<0.05 or 0.01). At the last follow-up, the kyphotic Cobb angle, SVA and TK in PSO group were (8.5±1.1)°, (2.6±0.5)cm and (28.8±6.2)°, respectively, significant lower than those in VP group [(14.2±1.5)°, (4.4±0.9)cm and (32.6±5.9)°] (all P<0.05); while the LL was significantly larger in PSO group [(43.1±3.9)°] than in VP group [(36.9±5.3)°] ( P<0.01). Before operation, the VAS and ODI were not significantly different between the two groups (all P>0.05). At postoperative 2 weeks, the VAS and ODI in the two groups were also not significantly different (all P>0.05), but both were greatly decreased from the preoperative level (all P<0.05). At the last follow-up, the VAS and ODI in PSO group were (1.4±0.5)points and 22.5±2.5, significant higher than (1.8±0.6)points and 25.5±5.1 in VP group (all P<0.01). At the last follow-up, the ASIA classification was grade E in all patients. There were 1 patient suffering from dural matter tear and 1 from proximal junctional kyphosis in PSO group. Whereas 3 patients had bone cement leaking and 1 pedicle screw loosening in PVP group. The complication rate was 3.9% (2/51) in PSO group, significant lower than 19.0%(4/21) in VP group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with VP group in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures with kyphosis, PSO combined with long segment fixation is much effective in improving kyphosis angle and spinal axial imbalance correction, maintaining vertebral height and spinal axial stability in middle- to long-term, improving pain and dysfunction and minimizing complications, regardless of more operation time and bleeding volume.

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) can lead to lower back pain and may be even accompanied by scoliosis, neurological dysfunction and other complications, which will affect the daily activities and life quality of patients. Vertebral augmentation is an effective treatment method for OVCF, but it cannot correct unbalance of bone metabolism or improve the osteoporotic status, causing complications like lower back pain, limited spinal activities and vertebral refracture. The post-operative systematic and standardized rehabilitation treatments can improve curative effect and therapeutic efficacy of anti-osteoporosis, reduce risk of vertebral refracture, increase patient compliance and improve quality of life. Since there still lack relevant clinical treatment guidelines for postoperative rehabilitation treatments following vertebral augmentation for OVCF, the current treatments are varied with uneven therapeutic effect. In order to standardize the postoperative rehabilitation treatment, the Spine Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized relevant experts to refer to relevant literature and develop the "Guideline for postoperative rehabilitation treatment following vertebral augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (2022 version)" based on the clinical guidelines published by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) as well as on the principles of scientificity, practicality and advancement. The guideline provided evidence-based recommendations on 10 important issues related to postoperative rehabilitation treatments of OVCF.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) plus long-segment pedicle nail bar system in treating kyphosis in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with thoracolumbar fractures.Methods A retrospective case series study was made on the clinical data of 13 patients with kyphosis in AS combined with thoracolumbar fractures admitted to Xiaoshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2012 to May 2016.There were 11 males and two females,aged 32-64 years [(44.3 ± 10.6) years].Two fractures occurred at T11,five at T12,three at L1,and three at L2.According to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification,the spinal injuries were rated as grade B in one patient,grade C in four,grade D in five and grade E in three.All patients underwent PSO plus long-segment pedicle nail bar system.The operation duration,intraoperative blood loss,fixation segments,and complications were recorded.Thoracolumbar kyphosis angle (TL) and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were measured to evalute the correction effect.Visual analogue scale (VAS),Oswestry disability index (ODI),ASIA grade were compared before and after operation to assess the efficacy.Results All patients were followed up for 12-18 months [(15.2 ± 1.2) months].The operation time ranged from 120 to 256 minutes [(175.2 ±40.3)minutes].The intraoperative blood loss ranged from 660 to 3 300 ml [(1 011 ±681)ml].Number of fixed seqments was 12-16 (12.2 ±0.8).Anemia occurred in one patient after operation,and the patient recovered after blood transfusion.Incision infection occurred in one patient after operation,which was improved after antibiotic treatment through osmotic culture.Compared with the detection before operation,postoperative TL was improved significantly [(52.6 ± 6.2) ° vs.(17.1 ± 3.1) °],with an average correction rate of 67.5％;final follow-up showed decreased VAS [(7.5 ± 0.7) points vs.(1.9 ± 0.6) points] and decreased ODI [(75.2 ±5.3) points vs.(22.9 ± 4.4) points] (P ＜ 0.05);SVA was improved significantly [(11.5 ± 2.1) cm vs.(3.5 ± 0.9) cm],with an average correction rate of 69.6％ (P ＜ 0.05).ASIA grade was significantly improved at the final follow-up,including grade D in three patients and grade E in ten patients (P ＜0.05).There was no case of epidural hematoma or infection after operation,and no loosening of internal fixator or pseudarthrosis formation occurred during follow-up.Conclusion For kyphosis in AS combined with thoracolumbar fractures,PSO osteotomy plus long segment pedicle nail bar system treatment can significantly reduce lower back pain and promote functional recovery.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of combined anterior and posterior approaches in treatment of severely unstable lower lumbar burst fractures.Methods A retrospective case series study was made on clinical data of 14 patients with lower lumbar burst fractures collected from August 2009 to August 2014.There were 12 males and 2 females,with a mean age of 39 years.Seven fractures occurred at L3,five at L4,and two at L5.Nine patients were associated with injury to the posterior ligament complex (PLC).According to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification,the spinal injuries were rated as grade B in two patients,grade C in four,grade D in five and grade E in three.All patients underwent posterior pedicle screw fixation combined with anterior spinal canal decompression and titanium mesh or iliac bone grafting.Lumbar lordosis angle,vertebral height,spinal canal decompression,ASIA grade and complications were evaluated after operation.Results Two patients experienced cerebrospinal fluid leakage postoperatively,which were healed after 2 weeks' local pressure treatment.Three patients experienced recurrent lumbar pain postoperatively,which were relieved after the removal of internal fixation 18 months after operation.All patients were followed up for 12-36 months (mean,18 months).Compared to the detection before operation,final follow-up showed improved lumbar lordosis [(30.2 ± 7.3) ° vs.(41.3 ± 6.5) °],decreased loss of the anterior vertebral height [(62.3 ± 21.5) ％ vs.(11.8 ± 7.8) ％] and reduced canal compromise [(65.7 ± 30.5) ％ vs.(21.9 ± 12.7)％] (all P ＜ 0.05).ASIA grade was significantly improved at the final follow-up,including grade C in one patient,grade D in three and grade E in ten (P ＜ 0.05).Follow-up showed no apparent graft loosening,pseudarthrosis,implant breakage and severe kyphosis.Conclusion Combined anterior and posterior approaches to treat severely unstable lower lumbar burst fractures can effectively reconstruct the height and stability of the vertebral body,restore the spinal canal volume,and attain satisfactory clinical outcome.

Objective To investigate the effect of minitype titanium plate fixation through transoral approach in the treatment of unstable atlas fractures.Methods A retrospective case series study was made on 21 patients with unstable atlas fractures treated by minitype titanium plate fixation through transoral approach from June 2008 to June 2014.There were 15 males and 6 females,at age of (40.9 ± 10.6)years (range,21 to 57 years).Anterior 1/2 Jefferson fractures were seen in 12 patients and 1/2 ring Jefferson fractures in 9 patients.Preoperative visual analogue score (VAS) was 4-9 points [(7.6 ± 1.3) points].Before operation,degree of mobility of the cervical vertebra was (15.4 ± 3.9) °in bending,(10.8 ± 2.5) °in extending,(18.3 ± 3.1) ° in left-bending,(18.9 ± 2.7) ° in right-bending,(21.8 ± 5.8) °in left-rotation and (22.4 ± 4.6) ° in right-rotation.Operation time,intraoperative blood loss,VAS,cervical mobility and bone healing were detected after operation.Results Operation time was (86.3 ±25.3)m in,and intraoperative blood loss was (120.5 ± 33.3)ml.VAS was improved to 0-2 points [(1.6 ± 0.4) points] at postoperative 3 days (P ＜ 0.05).All patients were followed up for 12 to 48 months[(23.7 ±5.9) months].VAS was improved to 0-2 points[(0.6 ± 0.1) points] at postoperative 3 months (P ＜ 0.05).Degree of mobility of the cervical vertebra was improved significantly at postoperative 3 months,with the bending of(38.6 ± 4.5) °,extending of (39.3 ± 4.0) °,left-bending of (39.2 ± 4.0) °,right-bending of (39.2 ± 2.9) °,left-rotation of (66.8 ± 8.8) ° and right-rotation of (66.3 ± 9.2) ° (P ＜ 0.05).Postoperatively,there were no surgical wound incision infections and vertebral artery or spinal injuries,Bone union was found in all patients,without the occurrence of implant loosening or breakage and the dysfunction of the cervical vertebra.Conclusion Minitype titanium plate fixation through transoral approach is associated with less trauma,high healing rate and preservation of the activity of cervical vertebra in the treatment of unstable atlas fractures.

Objective To compare the clinical effect of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation(PFNA) and dynamic hip screw(DHS) internal fixation in the treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fracture.Methods 80 patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture were selected as research subjects.They were divided into PFNA group and DHS group by random number table,40 cases in each group.The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative wound drainage,postoperative weight-bearing time,healing time,complication rate,Harris hip function score between two groups were compared.Results The operation time of the PFNA group was lower than that of DHS group(t=22.66,P＜0.05),the amount of bleeding in operation was less than that in the DHS group(t=54.85,P＜0.05),the postoperative wound drainage volume was less than that of the DHS group(t=16.85,P＜0.05),the weight-bearing time after operation was shorter than that in the DHS group(t=20.18,P＜0.05),and the healing time was shorter than that in the DHS group(t=22.00,P＜0.05).The excellence rate of Harris hip function score in the PFNA group was 95.00％,which was significantly higher than 80.00％ in the DHS group,the difference was statistically significant(χ2=4.11,P＜0.05).The incidence rate of complication of the PFNA group was 7.50％,which was significantly lower than 25.00％ of the DHS group(χ2=4.50,P＜0.05).Conclusion Compared with DHS,PFNA internal fixation has the advantages of less operation time,less intraoperative blood loss,shorter healing time and low complication rate in the treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fracture.It is worthy to be promoted clinically.