Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score

Principle and interpretation

TLICS structures discussion of management options. It differs from a fracture-only CT classification because it also includes neurological and ligamentous elements.

Indications, limitations and precautions

The team uses examination and imaging to assign components. Uncertain ligament findings or individual factors may change decisions; the score is not for self-diagnosis or selection of office therapy.

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.

• AO Spine injury classification — Set of traumatic spinal injury classifications based on morphology, neurological status and modifiers specific to region and patient.
• Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification — Scoring system for subaxial cervical trauma integrating morphology, the disc-ligamentous complex and neurological status.
• Modic type III changes — Sclerotic change near vertebral endplates, generally showing low signal on both T1- and T2-weighted MRI.

Medical references

1. Vaccaro et al., original classification study indexed in PubMed. Thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score.
2. AO Spine. AO Spine classification systems.

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