Thoracic spine fracture:
Rarely seen in sports but potentially catastrophic injury: higher risk in collision sports (e.g., hockey, football, wrestling)
The spinal column is divided int...
Rapid evaluation of airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs)
Primary and secondary trauma survey
Detailed spine and neurologic exam, with specific attention to bony deformity or tenderness an...
Stable fractures are often treated with brace immobilization (e.g., a thoracolumbosacral orthosis [TLSO] can immobilize a stable [<50% height loss] thoracic compre...
Diaz JJr, Cullinane D, Altman D, et al. Practice management guidelines for the screening of thoracolumbar spine fracture. J Trauma. 2007;63(3):709–718.
Nannapaneni R, Marks SM....
73% of thoracic herniations are asymptomatic; therefore, consider avoiding thoracic MRI during workup unless there is a concern for spinal cord injury.
Return to play only when the athl...
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