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Posterior instrumentation is a common fixation method used to treat thoracolumbar burst fractures. However, the role of different cross‐link configurations in improving fixation stability in these fractures has not been established. A 3D finite element model of T11‐L3 was used to investigate the biomechanical behavior of short (2 level) and long (4 level) segmental spine pedicle screw fixation with various cross‐links to treat a hypothetical L1 vertebra burst fracture. Three types of cross‐link configurations with an applied moment of 7.5 Nm and 200 N axial force were evaluated. The long construct was stiffer than the short construct irrespective of whether the cross‐links were used (p < 0.05). The short constructs showed no significant differences between the cross‐link configurations. The XL cross‐link provided the highest stiffness and was 14.9% stiffer than the one without a cross‐link. The long construct resulted …