AO Spine injury classification

Principle and interpretation

Upper cervical, subaxial cervical, thoracolumbar and sacral systems have their own rules. In several regions, A, B and C distinguish morphological families, but exact application must not be transferred without checking the system.

Indications, limitations and precautions

Classification supports communication and stability assessment. It accompanies the full assessment rather than replacing specialist judgment and must never delay care for an acute deficit.

Points to consider

A classification standardizes description and supports professional communication. It does not replace clinical judgment. A score or type should specify the system version, criteria and context; different systems are not directly interchangeable.

Role of TAGMED care

At TAGMED, assessment aims to understand symptoms, history and functional limitations. Manual care and osteopathy, motorized spinal decompression, laser and shockwave have different indications. The term described in this entry is not enough to select any of these modalities. Their relevance, limitations and possible contraindications should be discussed in relation to diagnosis and individual goals.

Related concepts and distinctions

These concepts belong to the same field, but are not synonyms.

• Modic type III changes — Sclerotic change near vertebral endplates, generally showing low signal on both T1- and T2-weighted MRI.
• Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score — Thoracolumbar trauma score combining injury morphology, posterior ligamentous complex integrity and neurological status.
• Modic type II changes — MRI appearance of fatty bone-marrow change near vertebral endplates, generally associated with high T1 signal.

Medical references

1. AO Spine. AO Spine classification systems.
2. AO Foundation. AO Surgery Reference — Occipitocervical trauma.

References document the topic; their inclusion does not imply endorsement of TAGMED services by those organizations.