Among 14 patients with unstable thoracolumbar fractures examined by both conventional radiography and CT [computed tomography], 7 patients were found with a new common fracture pattern. This fracture pattern consisted of superior disc injury, crush fracture of the upper half of the vertebral body, sagittal fracture (cleavage fracture) of the lower half of the vertebral body, bone fragments in the spinal canal, and laminar fracture. Five of the 7 patients had sustained their injuries in vertical falls; all 5 had primary neurological deficit symptoms. This fracture is considered to be unstable.