Tratamento conservador da fratura toracolombar explos？o e Classifica？？o de McComack

objective: to correlate the mccormack classification and functional outcomes in patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures submitted to conservative management. methods: we performed a retrospective study on a consecutive series of 31 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures treated with cast or brace immobilization between 1996 and 2005.the functional result at theend of the treatment was obtained through denis' functional scales of pain and work. results: of the 31 patients evaluated, five presented total or partial inability return to work at the end of the follow-up period; 26(83.9%) were able to return to work with or without a change in work activity. in relation to pain (r=0.258;p=0.161) and functional scores (r=0.204;p=0.272) there was no correlation between the classification score and function at the end of the follow-up. conclusion: considering functional criteria focused on the patients, we did not observe any correlation between mccormack's classification and the results of the conservative treatment. level of evidence: level iv, case series.