Table 7 The improved version of assessment system of thoracolumbar osteoporotic fracture (ASTLOF).

From: The analysis of MSTMOVCF (Multi-segment thoracolumbar mild osteoporotic fractures surgery or conservative treatment) based on ASTLOF (the assessment system of thoracolumbar osteoporotic fracture)

Characteristic

Value

Part 1

Morphology (N = n1 + n2 + n3)

  Normal (n1)

0xn1

  Compression fractures (n2)

1xn2

  Burst fracture (n3)

2xn3

MRI (N = na + nb + nc)

  Normal (na)

0xna

  Long T1 and T2 signal (nb)

1xnb

  Vacuum or effusion in vertebral body (nc)

2xnc

Part 2

Bone mineral density

  T > −2.5

0

  −2.5 > T > −3.5

1

  T < −3.5

2

Pain

  No obvious pain

0

  Back and lower back pain

1

  Sustained pain or spinal cord injury

2

Total score

Part 1 + Part 2

  1. N = n1 + n2 + n3 means that the sum of number of injured vertebra present in normal, compression fractures and burst fracture is equal to the total number of injured vertebra.
  2. N = na + nb + nc means that the sum of number of injured vertebra present in normal, long T1 and T2 signal and vacuum or effusion in vertebral body is equal to the total number of injured vertebra.
  3. ASTLOF was put forward in the present study in order to guide the treatment of thoracolumbar osteoporotic fractures.