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Research Article: Impact of preoperative lumbar paraspinal muscle quality on the prognosis of open pedicle screw fixation for thoracolumbar fractures

Date Published: 2026-06-04

Abstract:
To investigate the association of preoperative paraspinal muscle quality (quantified by fat infiltration) on the clinical and radiographic outcomes following open pedicle screw fixation (OPSF) for thoracolumbar fractures. This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of 48 patients with single-segment thoracolumbar fractures who underwent OPSF surgery between January 2021 and December 2023. Patients were stratified into a low-fat group (LFG, FI?<?25%, n =?26) and a high-fat group (HFG, FI???25%, n =?22) based on the preoperative fat infiltration rate (FI) of paraspinal muscles at the L4/5 level measured on MRI. General clinical data, perioperative indicators, radiographic parameters (anterior vertebral body height ratio - AVBHr, vertebral body angle - VBA, regional kyphosis angle - RKA), and clinical efficacy scores (Visual Analogue Scale - VAS, Oswestry Disability Index - ODI) were compared between groups preoperatively, at 1 month, and 1 year postoperatively. The groups were comparable in all baseline and perioperative characteristics ( P >?0.05). The LFG demonstrated significantly better paraspinal muscle parameters at multiple spinal levels ( P <?0.05). Although the immediate postoperative radiographic correction achieved was similar between groups ( P >?0.05), the HFG exhibited significantly greater loss of correction in both VBA and RKA at the 1-year follow-up ( P <?0.05). This difference in correction loss was particularly pronounced in the subgroup of patients with more severe, unstable fractures (AO type A3/A4). No significant differences were found in VAS and ODI scores at any postoperative time point ( P >?0.05). Complication rates were similar between groups ( P >?0.05). Preoperative lumbar paraspinal muscle quality is not associated with the initial surgical reduction but is significantly associated with the long-term maintenance of radiographic correction after OPSF, especially in unstable fracture patterns. Assessment of paraspinal muscle quality could serve as a valuable prognostic tool for surgical planning and patient counseling.

Introduction:
Thoracolumbar fractures (T10–L2) are the most common type of spinal injury, accounting for more than half of all spinal fractures. Their incidence continues to rise with industrial and transportation development ( 1 ). These injuries severely impact patients’ motor function and quality of life, imposing a substantial socioeconomic burden due to prolonged treatment needs ( 2 ). While both conservative and surgical management are employed, surgical intervention, particularly open pedicle screw fixation (OPSF), is…

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