SUMMARY
Fractures of the thoracolumbar spine (TLF) represent a wide variety of injuries. Treatment depends on the severity of spinal injury, the general condition of the patient and preexisting spinal pathologies. This complex reasoning is additionally complicated by the unclear and sometimes even conflicting evidence in the literature. Nevertheless, in severe injuries only a fast and well-coordinated chain of interventions from the first care in the field to the final rehabilitation can lead to a satisfactory outcome. Therefore, the recommendations for treatment of TLF of the Slovenian Spine Society include recommendations from care in the field and emergency room, as well as diagnostic procedures and injury classification to surgical treatment, and finally, rehabilitation and post-injury follow-up strategies. A special emphasis is dedicated to the treatment of TLF with spinal cord injury and, due to the growing number of geriatric patients, to the treatment of osteoporotic fractures and fractures of the ankylosed spine. The aim of these recommendations is to set minimum standards for treatment of TLF in Slovenia, grounded in evidence-based medicine and respecting the regional specifics of the healthcare system.