Fig. 1

Radiographs showing post-injury specimens and that after pedicle instrumentation. a Lateral radiographs showing vertebral fractures at L1 level. b Axial computed tomography (CT) scan showing vertebral fractures and disruption of posterior edge of the vertebral body. c Monosegmental pedicle instrumentation (MSPI) with placement of pedicle screws directly into the fractured and normal vertebral body adjacent to the fractured endplate. d Traditional short-segment pedicle instrumentation (SSPI) with placement of pedicle screws into the upper and lower vertebral bodies adjacent to the fractured vertebral body