Unsettledcontroversiesexistregardingtreatmentofunstableburstfractures.Theseinjuriesaredistinguishedfrom themilderstableformbyposteriorcolumndisruption(usuallyindicatedbylaminarorfacetfractures),largereduction in vertebral body height, significant interpedicular widening,extensivecanalcompromiseofgreaterthan50%,and neurologic injury