A1 Wedge-compression fractures

Type A1 injuries are vertebral body fractures with one or both endplates involved but the fractures do not connect with one another.

These can be called wedge compression or impaction fractures.

Be aware of the possible involvement of the posterior tension band, making this injury a B type instead of an A type. This can be determined pressing a finger between two spinous processes, when a gap can be felt or the patient feels pain (M1). Any doubt, confirm with MRI.

CT/radiograph images are examined to determine the fracture type.