Reviewoftheliteratureclearlyindicatesthatexperimental studies of acute burst fractures have not resolved the controversies relating to management. Although there is littledisputethatthemechanismofinjuryisaxialimpact occasionally coupled with a flexion moment, levels of canal compromise and posterior column disruption in experimentalmodelsvarywidelyandinfrequentlymatch the severity seen in clinical cases. Fracture patterns reported have ranged from simple endplate collapse to compression fractures to severe burst fractures with significant canal compromise and posterior column injury. Theunsettledcontroversiesregardingtheeffectivenessof the various reduction and fixation techniques may be attributedpartiallytotheinconsistenciesassociatedwith experimental burst-fracture models.