A Smith fracture is a named vertebral fracture occurring most commonly in the lumbar spine. It is similar to that of a Chance fracture and is associated with seat belt injuries. This fracture represents a fracture through the posterior elements including the superior articular processes but not the spinous process, as well as an avulsion fracture of the vertebral body.Richard H. Daffner- Chance-Type Fractures of the Thoracolumbar Spine: Imaging Analysis: Discussion It is not to be confused with the more commonly referred to Smith's fracture of the wrist.
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References Smith NS, Kaufer H: J Bone Joint Surg (Am) 1969;51A:239. Mark P. Bernstein, Stuart E. Mirvis, and K. Shanmuganathan. Chance-Type Fractures of the Thoracolumbar Spine: Imaging Analysis: Discussion