Risks and benefits of timely screw removal after thoracolumbar spine fractures treated with non-fusion technique

•When fracture consolidation is confirmed, pedicle screws are no longer essential, but clear indications for screw removal following fracture consolidation have not been established.•For clinicians planning to remove screws, we recommend screw removal be performed within 12 months for restoration of segmental motion angle after confirmation of fracture consolidation.•When considering treatment strategies for TLSFs with CA ≥ 20°, a clinician should consider other surgical options such as long segment fixation and anterior reconstruction or posterolateral fusion, rather than screw removal after percutaneous-SSSF without fusion.•Screw removal can be recommended for single level TLSFs with low severity vertebra body fracture (CA < 20°) after percutaneous-SSSF without fusion.•Screw removal appears to be a safe and effective surgery for single-level low-severity vertebra body fractures following treatment using percutaneous-SSSF without fusion.