ABSTRACT
I LOWER LUMBAR FRACTURES [L3-L5] Because fractures of the lower lumbar spine are uncommon, the most frequent injuries being burst fractures (1), the management of these injuries is somewhat controversial (2-4). Unique anatomical features of the lower lumbar spine and their biomechanical characteristics create fracture patterns which differ from those at the thoracolumbar junction (5). The location of the vertebral bodies below the pelvic rim as well as the iliolumbar ligaments stabilize the L4 and L5 vertebrae resulting in less post-traumatic instability than injuries elsewhere, with implications for management.
