Degenerative Changes After Treatment of Thoracolumbar Junction Fractures

This observational study will evaluate how degenerative changes in the facet joints and intervertebral discs develop over time after treatment of AOSpine type A2, A3, and A4 fractures of the thoracolumbar junction. Patients treated conservatively and patients treated surgically will be compared with each other and with a control group of patients who underwent repeated computed tomography examinations for reasons unrelated to traumatic or degenerative spinal disease.

The study will assess computed tomography findings at the injured spinal motion segment and adjacent segments, including facet joint degeneration, intervertebral disc degeneration, signs of ankylosis, facet joint space parameters, and facet joint angle. Clinical outcomes in the fracture cohort will be evaluated using pain scores and validated questionnaires. The purpose of the study is to identify factors associated with progression of degenerative changes after thoracolumbar junction fractures and to clarify whether treatment method is associated with long-term degeneration of the injured and adjacent spinal motion segments.