Shear fracture-dislocation of the lumbar spine without paraplegia

Complete fracture-dislocation of the lumbar spine without paraplegia

“…Denis [4] reported 12 cases of lumberjack paraplegia. Freeman [6] reported one case of shear fracture-dislocation of the L2-L3 level without paraplegia, but that case was not a frank dislocation of the vertebral body such as in our patient. This case with a miraculous outcome had a complete anterior dislocation of his L4 vertebral body without any neurological deficit from pre-operative Frankel E condition to postoperative Frankel E condition.…”

“…De Oliverira [5] reported an unusual pattern of sagittal shear fracture-dislocation secondary to posterior impact injuries. Hyperextension injuries result in the disruption of all ligaments and supporting elements of the spine starting with the anterior column [4,6]. Sagittal translation and comminution of the posterior elements are the most common radiographic findings [4].…”

Traumatic Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbosacral Spine With Multiple Fractures of the Posterior Elements

“…Shear fracture-dislocation of the lumbar spine is rare, and only four cases below the level of L2 have been reported. [3][4][5] Denis 6,7 noted that the upper vertebrae could be sheared off forwards in relation to the segment below when force was applied in the postero-anterior direction. He observed that fractures of the posterior structures of the spine could also occur in such injuries.…”