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We report a 20-year-old man who sustained lumbar fractures involving 5 vertebrae following a road traffic accident. He was initially treated non-operatively to allow multiple pedicles to heal. He developed post-traumatic kyphosis for which corrective osteotomy and posterior spinal instrumented fusion was performed. He achieved a good functional outcome. We emphasise the need for careful radiological evaluation in patients with high-energy trauma, and the option of treating such complex injuries by non-operative means. If post-traumatic kyphosis develops, it can be dealt with later and the most mobile segments of the lumbar spine can be preserved.