Effectiveness of Conservative Treatment in Patients With Thoracic and Lumbar Fractures Without Neurological Deficit

Prospective Cohort Study of the Effectiveness of Conservative Treatment in Patients With AOSpine Type A2 and A3 Fractures of the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Without Neurological Deficit

The goal of this observational study is to compare the long-term clinical outcomes of two treatment methods (conservative therapy and surgical treatment) in patients with fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine without neurological deficit

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Spine Fusion; Spine Fracture; Thoracic Spine Fracture; Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture; Lumbar; Spine, Fracture; Fracture of Spine, Level Unspecified
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: rehabilitation treatment; Procedure: Spine fusion

Detailed Description

The main objectives of the upcoming study include:

• to conduct a retrospective analysis of the surgical treatment outcomes in patients with thoracic or lumbar vertebral fractures;
• to assess the immediate and long-term outcomes of conservative therapy in patients with thoracic or lumbar vertebral injuries;
• to evaluate the overall cost of surgical and conservative treatment one year post-discharge, as well as the duration of disability in patients with thoracic or lumbar vertebral fractures;
• to compare the results of surgical and conservative treatment methods in patients with thoracic or lumbar vertebral fractures.

The research focus will be on patients diagnosed with uncomplicated fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine, classified as type A2 and A3 according to the AOSpine classification.

Two patient groups will be formed:

The main group (prospective) will consist of patients who underwent conservative therapy. The expected number of observations in the main group will be 40 patients.

The control group (historical control) will be comprised of 40 patients who underwent surgery previously at the Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Medicine.

The first stage of conservative therapy will be administered within 7 days at the departments of the Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Medicine. Subsequently, the patient will be transferred to a rehabilitation center for the second stage of conservative treatment at Branch No. 3 of the State Autonomous Healthcare Institution "Moscow Scientific and Practical Center for Medical Rehabilitation, Restorative and Sports Medicine". The third stage of medical rehabilitation will be carried out at outpatient healthcare facilities based on the patient's place of residence.

The study will be considered complete when the data from the final examination of at least 50 patients in each group have been analyzed.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 40

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Russia
  • Moscow, Russia, 107045
    • Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Medicine
  • Moscow, Russia, 111674
    • Moscow Scientific and Practical Center for Medical Rehabilitation, Restorative and Sports Medicine

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

All participants in the study are patients with spinal fractures who arrived through the emergency medical services and were urgently admitted to the hospital.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients aged 18 to 65 years.
• Isolated fracture of a single thoracic or lumbar vertebra, classified as type A2 or A3 according to the AOSpine classification.
• Absence of clinical evidence of nerve root or spinal cord compression at the injury level.
• Degree of spinal canal space narrowing less than 50% based on CT scans.
• Informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Sagittal imbalance (Type 4 by C. Barrey).
• Vertebral bone density at the injury level less than 100 HU or osteoporosis exceeding grade 3 in vertebral bodies, pelvic bones, and limbs.
• Previous spinal surgeries.
• Anesthesia risk of 4 or 5 according to ASA.
• Acute exacerbation and decompensation of somatic diseases.
• Malignant tumors at any site.
• Systemic connective tissue disorders.
• Cognitive impairments hindering patient communication.
• Floating and mural thrombosis, regardless of location.
• Newly identified and uncorrectable cardiac rhythm disorders.
• Dizziness.
• Consequences of a previous acute cerebrovascular event.
• Pregnancy at any stage.
• Acute infectious diseases.
• History of fractures of the pelvis, lower limbs, or vertebral bodies.
• Congenital spinal and limb disorders.
• Any conditions contraindicating physiotherapeutic procedures.
• Patient refusal to participate in the study.
• Inability to participate in follow-up examinations for one year after the injury.
• Participation in other clinical trials.
• Absence of a signed informed voluntary consent for medical interventions and processing of personal data or personal data processing.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Conservative treatment group; The main group (prospective) will consist of patients who received conservative therapy. The expected number of observations in the main group will be 50 patients.	Other: rehabilitation treatment; 3-month immobilization period, hyperextension braces for specific fractures, therapeutic exercises, and gradual activity restoration.
Surgical treatment group; The control group (historical control) will be comprised of 50 patients who underwent surgery previously at the Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Medicine.	Procedure: Spine fusion; Pedicle screw fixation or fusion; anterior plate fusion

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Oswestry Disability Index	This questionnaire allows for a precise numeric assessment of the extent to which an individual's daily functioning is affected by back pain and objectively demonstrates the clinical outcome of the provided treatment. The scale will be applied at all stages of the study, starting from the initial examination and concluding with the follow-up examination one year after intervention. The questionnaire consists of 10 sections, each containing 6 statements. Depending on the response, a score from 0 to 5 is assigned. The maximum total score is 50. Subsequently, the scores are converted into percentages, ranging from 0 to 100%. If one of the sections is not applicable or omitted for ethical reasons, the sum of scores from the remaining 9 sections is divided by 45 to calculate the percentage.	admission, 3, 6 and 12 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
ASA	This classification categorizes patients into 5 classes based on the presence of comorbid conditions (Class I - healthy patient, Class V - moribund patient).	admission
The SF-36 v.1 (Standard Form)	This questionnaire allows for a comprehensive assessment of the quality of life. The questionnaire consists of 36 questions grouped into 8 scales, evaluating physical functioning, role limitations, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional well-being, and mental health. Each scale has a maximum score of 100 points.	admission, 3, 6 and 12 months
EQ-5D-5L	This scale is similar to the SF-36 but provides a less detailed assessment of the social adaptation of patients and their emotional well-being. Nevertheless, this questionnaire is frequently used in prospective international research studies. Therefore, we consider it practical to use it to preserve the option for comparative analysis of our results with literature data. The questionnaire consists of 5 sections (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain, anxiety), each with three statements, and a visual analogue scale EQ-VAS. The results can be converted into a single numerical value (index) adjusted for the patient's region of residence. Currently, there is no complete set of values to calculate this index for the Russian Federation, so in the initial stages, simple comparison of specific numerical values for each parameter will be used. When the technical capability becomes available, the index will be calculated at the end of the study.	admission, 3, 6 and 12 months
Rivermead Mobility Index	The Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) is a tool used to assess the mobility of patients, particularly after injuries or conditions such as stroke. This index is designed to measure a patient's ability to perform various motor tasks and includes an evaluation of aspects such as getting out of bed, moving around a room, descending stairs, and other mobility skills. The Rivermead Mobility Index consists of several questions and items, each of which is assigned a specific score. All scores are then summed to determine the overall mobility index. This tool can be used for both medical and research purposes to assess patients' physical function and mobility.	1, 3, 6 and 12 months
Lovett's muscle testing	Lovett's method is a clinical technique to assess erector spinae muscle strength. It involves having the patient perform specific movements or resist against applied force. This evaluates muscle strength and functional status. It's used in medical and physical therapy assessments for the lower back.	1, 3, 6 and 12 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Sklifosovsky Institute of Emergency Care
• Investigators: Study Chair: Andrey Grin, MD, PhD, Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Medicine; Study Director: Aleksandr Talypov, MD, PhD, Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Medicine; Principal Investigator: Vasiliy Karanadze, MD, PhD, Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Medicine; Principal Investigator: Ivan Lvov, MD, PhD, Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Medicine; Principal Investigator: Anton Kordonskiy, MD, PhD, Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Medicine; Study Chair: Iren Pogonchenkova, MD, PhD, Moscow Scientific and Practical Center for Medical Rehabilitation, Restorative and Sports Medicine

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 1, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): September 29, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 22, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 22, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): September 29, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): October 3, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 29, 2025
• Last Verified: September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Spine fusion; Thoracic Spine Fracture; Lumbar Spine Fracture; thoracolumbar burst; conservative treatment for spine fracture
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Wounds and Injuries; Back Injuries; Spinal Injuries; Fractures, Bone; Spinal Fractures; Therapeutics; Patient Care; Health Services; Health Care Facilities Workforce and Services; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Rehabilitation
• Other Study ID Numbers: 1-28-08/2023

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: All the obtained data will be stored in the data centre of the Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Medicine. These data will be unavailable to all parties until the final analysis.
• IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type: STUDY_PROTOCOL; SAP; ICF; CSR

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No