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Upper lumbar burst fracture due to recreational high jumping into a river: report of five cases

  • Trauma Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Spinal injuries resulting from entering into water usually occur in the cervical region, with few reported in the thoracolumbar region. Although the mechanism of cervical spine injury caused by diving is known, less is known regarding the mechanism of upper lumbar spine injury.

Materials and methods

The study subjects were five patients (mean age, 32.8 years), inexperienced in diving from heights, who were referred for burst fractures (Denis type B) at L1 caused while jumping into a river from a 12-m-high bridge between 2004 and 2005. Three patients were treated surgically and two were treated conservatively. Their clinical outcomes were reviewed and the mechanism of upper lumbar spine injury was discussed.

Results

No patient experienced neurological deficit or low back pain after treatment, and all returned to their previous activities within 1 year. Impact with the surface of the river with back and hip flexed may be a major cause of upper lumbar spine injury.

Conclusions

To minimize the incidence of upper lumbar burst fracture during recreational high jumping into water, it is important that jumpers, especially inexperienced jumpers, should be instructed to jump with their backs and hips straight.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gifu University School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu City, 501-1194, Gifu, Japan

    Kenta Kikuike, Kei Miyamoto & Katsuji Shimizu

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Gujo City Hospital, 1261 Shimatani Hachimannchou, Gujo City, Gifu, Japan

    Shuichi Uemura

  3. Department of Surgery, Gujo City Hospital, 1261 Shimatani Hachimannchou, Gujo City, Gifu, Japan

    Yoshihiro Horiya

  4. Department of Reconstructive Surgery for Bone and Joint, Gifu University School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu City, Gifu, Japan

    Kei Miyamoto

Authors
  1. Kenta Kikuike
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  2. Shuichi Uemura
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  3. Kei Miyamoto
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  4. Yoshihiro Horiya
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  5. Katsuji Shimizu
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Correspondence to Kenta Kikuike.

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Kikuike, K., Uemura, S., Miyamoto, K. et al. Upper lumbar burst fracture due to recreational high jumping into a river: report of five cases. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 129, 87–90 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-008-0698-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-008-0698-3

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