The most common fractures in the spine take place in the thoracolumbar region. Currently there is no consensus regarding optimum treatment.
Objective: Analyze the current medical literature available regarding treatment of compression fractures of the thoracolumbar spine.
Methods: Research of current literature in medical databases.
Results: Regarding current available literature, we found no consensus in the treatment of compression fractures in the thoracolumbar spine.
Conclusions: Burst fractures of the thoracolumbar junction is a very common condition, treatment of each patient must be individualized. Conservative treatment is recommended for stable fractures without neurological compromise and less than 35° of kyphosis.
Keywords: Burst fracture; Compression fracture; Conservative treatment; Neurological deficit; Surgical treatment; Thoracolumbar spine.