Introduction: Thoracolumbar burst fracture keeps the highest percentage of the entire human spine fractures. The indication of conservative and operative treatment of this kind of injury is always a debatable topic. Hence, a prospective study focusing on the functional treatment of this fracture in the conditions of Vietnam is a critical need. Material and method: Design of study: case series
type of study: prospective. The patients are selected at the Spinal Department B of the Hospital of traumatology-orthopaedy from june 2009 to jun,e 2010. Only those who meet the criteria on inclusion (stable burst fracture without neurologic complication) will follow a functional treatment including a period from 6 to 8 weeks of strict recumbency and a program of physical therapy. Results: Forty-one patients with a mean age of 40 years and a sex ratio (men/women) of 2/1 are evaluated by a mean of 18 months. Anatomically, there is an increase of local kyphotic angle of 2.6°, from 15.6° on admission to 18.2° at final follow up. Clinically, there are 95 percent of cases qualifed excellent and good. There is no cases of late neurologic-deterioration. In one case, there are clinical and imaging evidences of non union. Conclusion: Functional treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures provides a good short-term prognosis. The physical therapy with trunc muscles enhancing excercises does improve the final outcome.