Surgical Versus Non-Surgical Treatment of Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture — A34RCT  

SPINAL Fracture Clinical Trial

Official title: Outcome of Surgical Versus Primary Non-Surgical Treatment of Traumatic Thoracolumbar Spine Burst Fracture in Patients Without Neurological Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Status Recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

Treatment for acute traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures differs significantly across the world in patients without neurological impairments and without damage to the posterior column of the spine. This randomized controlled, non-inferiority clinical trial's goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of surgery versus initial non-surgical treatment for patients with traumatic thoracolumbar spine burst fractures who don't have any neurological symptoms.

The study's precise objectives are to:

1. evaluate the clinical outcome (Oswestry Disability Index)

2. evaluate the radiography result (restoration and maintenance of spinal alignment)

3. determine the prevalence of complications

at least 24 months of follow-up of neurologically unaffected patients with acute traumatic burst fractures. Both groups will get the same therapy using standardized methods: The surgical group's entire patient population will get combined anterior-posterior (360°) spinal fusion therapy. Three-point hyperextension orthoses will be used to treat all patients in the non-surgical group for six weeks following the injury.

Clinical Trial Description

The research is a single-center, nationwide, randomized controlled trial. Over a two-year period, 52 patients with a thoracolumbar burst fracture will enroll in the study. They will be assigned randomly (1:1) to either non-surgical treatment with a brace or surgery with anterior-posterior fixation. A prospective data collection will be asked of subjects who decline randomization (observational arm). The subjects will be evaluated clinically, radiologically, and based on patient-reported outcomes over the course of two years. Both patient files and questionnaires will be used to collect data. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Burst Fracture
• Fractures, Bone
• SPINAL Fracture
• Spinal Fractures

• NCT number: NCT05769114
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern
• Contact: Christoph E Albers, PD Dr.
• Phone: +41 (0) 31 664 04 40
• Email: christoph.albers@insel.ch
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: April 18, 2023
• Completion date: March 2030