AOSpine Subaxial Classification System

Type A. Type B. Type C.

Compression Injuries Tension Band Injuries Translation Injuries

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

A1. Wedge-compression B2. Posterior tension band

injury (bony capsulo-
ligamentous, ligamentous)
Type F.
Facet Injuries

F1. Nondisplaced facet fracture

A2. Split

F2. Facet fracture with potential

for instability

A3. Incomplete burst B3. Anterior tension band

injury

F3. Floating lateral mass

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

Anterior YES B3 Hyperextension

Tension
band YES
Osseoligamentous
Osseoligamentous
injury
disruption
YES B2 disruption
Posterior
Mono-segmental Pure transosseous
osseous disruption
YES B1 disruption

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

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