AOSpine Thoracolumbar
Classification System
Type A.
Compression Injuries
Type B.
Distraction Injuries
Type C.
Translation Injuries
A0. Minor, nonstructural
fractures
B1. Transosseous tension
band disruption /
Chance fracture
C. Displacement /
Dislocation
B2. Posterior tension
band disruption
B3. Hyperextension
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
C
YES
Translation
NO
YES
B3 Hyperextension
Osseoligamentous
disruption
YES
B2 disruption
Mono-segmental
osseous disruption
YES
B1 disruption
YES
A4 Complete burst
NO
A3 Incomplete burst
YES
A2 Split/Pincer
NO
A1 Wedge/Impaction
Anterior
Tension
band
injury
YES
Osseoligamentous
Posterior
Pure transosseous
NO
Vertebral
body
fracture
YES
Both
endplates
involved
Posterior wall
involvement
YES
NO
Both
endplates
involved
NO
Vertebral
process
fracture
NO
YES
A0 Insignificant injury
No injury
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