The thoracic cord is a very tight fit in the spinal canal. As a result, only a minor dislocation will usually cause complete permanent paraplegia. There is usually no indication for operation or for stabilisation of the thoracic spine as it would not do any good. The treatment should consist of paraplegic nursing including 2 hourly turning of the patient to diminish the likelyhood of bed sores, plus physiotherapy and nursing for joint contractures and urinary retention. Fracture dislocations of the thoracolumbar spine however, may result in combined upper and lower motor neurone paralysis. This is because the lower cord will be damaged as well as the corda equina. As there can be some recovery of corda equina lesions, there is a place for stabilisation of the thoraco lumbar spine with plates, spinal rods or cables. In fractures and fracture dislocations of the lumbar spine below the level of L2 the corda equina rather than the cord may be damaged. This is because the spinal cord in the adult ends at the upper border of L2. There is also much more room in the lumbar spinal canal than in the thoracic spine. As a result, unstable fractures of the lumbar spine are usually treated conservatively without operation. The exception, however, is sometimes a burst fracture of a lumbar vertebra which is usually a stable fracture. However, some of the bone from the fracture may press on the corda equina and require urgent removal.