What characterizes a burst fracture?

A burst fracture is characterized by the failure of the entire vertebral body, which results in fragmentation of the bone. This injury typically occurs due to axial loading, where compressive forces are applied to the spine, often seen in activities such as falls from height or high-energy impacts. When this type of fracture occurs, the anterior column of the vertebra fails, leading to fracture fragments that can potentially cause harm to surrounding structures, including the spinal cord.

In contrast to other types of injuries, a burst fracture specifically involves the structural integrity of the vertebra itself, emphasizing the importance of anterior column failure in its definition. Therefore, recognizing that the defining feature of a burst fracture is the failure and subsequent fragmentation of the vertebral body helps to categorize and differentiate it from other spinal injuries.