Conservative treatment of children with vertebral compression fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine in the Russian Federation: a literature review

Abstract

Various options for medical treatment of children with compression fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine include unloading of damaged segments by simultaneous or gradual reclination (e.g., functional traction and reclination of the spine); measures aimed at building and strengthening the muscular “corset” of the back; and the use of orthotic devices of various designs (e.g., fixating-discharging, fixating-correcting corsets, orthoses on a modular basis). Questions regarding the early and late use of orthotics in patients with compression fractures of the vertebral bodies are discussed. Literature analysis, considering different methods used in the treatment of these patients in terms of their effectiveness to restore the height and shape of the damaged spinal segment revealed the absence of a differentiated approach for choosing treatment and selection criteria for orthopedic management.