Return to sports/activity level after 360° thoracolumbar fusion after burst fractures in young patients

•First study to use a modified Tegner scale to evaluate the activity level following thoracolumbar 360-degree fusion.•Younger patients who underwent 360-degree fusion for thoracolumbar burst fractures demonstrated a high likelihood (83%) of regaining their original activity level.•Compared to young recreational athletes recovering from ACL reconstruction, these patients had a threefold higher return rate to their pre-injury activity level.