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Thoracic Spine

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Sports-related Fractures, Dislocations and Trauma

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Abstract

Fractures of the thoracic spine account for only a small portion of sports-related spinal injuries. This is likely due to the limited mobility in this area in contrast to the cervical spine. Fractures tend to occur at the transition zones between the thoracic spine and the cervical and lumbar spine. These injuries often occur from compressive forces resulting in compression- or burst-type fractures, but injuries can also occur from distraction or rotational forces. Despite their overall rarity, injuries may be accompanied by neurological complications. Suspected thoracic injuries should be treated acutely with spinal precautions and referral for further evaluation. Treatment varies based on the type of fracture and associated neurologic injury. Return to play should be based on full recovery of motion, strength, and neurologic function and be determined on an individual basis as no specific guidelines exist.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vermont Orthopaedic Clinic, Rutland Regional Medical Center, Rutland, VT, USA

    Matthew G. Zmurko

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  1. Matthew G. Zmurko
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Correspondence to Matthew G. Zmurko .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine and Orthopedics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA

    Morteza Khodaee

  2. Department of Emergency and Sports Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA

    Anna L. Waterbrook

  3. Vermont Orthopedic Clinic, Rutland, VT, USA

    Matthew Gammons

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Zmurko, M.G. (2020). Thoracic Spine. In: Khodaee, M., Waterbrook, A., Gammons, M. (eds) Sports-related Fractures, Dislocations and Trauma. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36790-9_31

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36790-9_31

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-36789-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-36790-9

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