Surgical Versus Non-Surgical Treatment of Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 - 70 years at inclusion * Acute traumatic burst fracture of the thoracolumbar spine (10th thoracic to 3rd lumbar vertebral body) * Informed consent for study participation Exclusion Criteria: * Injury of the posterior tension band/posterior column of the thoracolumbar spine * Any neurological deficit (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale \[AISA\] Grade A-D) * Pathological vertebral body fractures (diagnosed by MRI and CT scan), which, in the opinion of the research/investigative team, would compromise (or interfere with) patients' ability to participate in the study * Concomitant spinal fractures at any other level of the spine outside the T10-L3 level, which, in the opinion of the research/investigative team, would compromise (or interfere with) patients' ability to participate in the study * Multiple trauma or Injury Severity Score (ISS) \> 16 or additional injuries according to the investigator may, which, in the opinion of the research/investigative team, would compromise (or interfere with) patients' ability to participate in the study (impairment of early ambulation) * Any known previous spinal surgery in the thoracolumbar spine, which, in the opinion of the research/investigative team, would compromise (or interfere with) patients' ability to participate in the study * Any severe, progressive, or uncontrolled medical or psychiatric condition, or other factors at randomization that in the judgment of the investigator preven…