A0. Minor, nonstructural B1. Posterior tension band C. Translational injury in any axis-
fractures injury (bony) displacement or translation
of one vertebral body relative
to another in any direction
BL.
A4. Complete burst Bilateral Injuries F4. Pathologic subluxation or
perched/dislocated facet
BL. Bilateral injury
Contact: research@aospine.org
Further information: www.aospine.org/classification
AOSpine Subaxial Classification System
Algorithm for Morphologic Classification
START
Displacement/
Dislocation
YES C Translation
NO
NO
Vertebral Both
YES A4 Complete burst
body YES endplates
fracture involved
NO A3 Incomplete burst
Posterior wall YES
involvement
NO Both
YES A2 Split/Pincer
NO endplates
involved
NO A1 Wedge/Impaction
Vertebral
process YES A0 Insignificant injury
fracture
NO No injury