Denis classification of spinal fractures
Last reviewed 01/2018
Denis divided the spine into three columns - anterior, middle and posterior. If two or more of these columns are damaged then the spine is unstable.
- the anterior column comprises the anterior longitudunal ligament and the anterior half of the vertebral body.
- the middle column comprises the posterior half of the vertebral body and the posterior longitudunal ligament.
- the posterior column comprises the pedicles, the facet joints and the supraspinous ligaments.
In adition to proposing the 'three column spine' Denis also defined four types of spinal fractures;
- wedge fracture - stable
- burst fracture - stable
- seat belt fracture (and 'Chance fracture') - unstable
- fracture dislocation - unstable