Essential characteristics of the three injury types. a Type A, compression injury of the anterior column. b Type B, two-column injury with either posterior or anterior transverse disruption. c Type C, two-column injury with rotation. d Classification A B C (according to M. Aebi, V. Arlet, J.K. Webb, in AO-Manual of Spine Surgery, Vol. I, 2008. Thieme Publisher, Stuttgart)