USC Spine Center
Neck Spine Fractures
A cervical fracture means that a bone is broken in the cervical (neck) region of the spine. A cervical dislocation means that a ligament injury in the neck has occurred, and two (or more) of the adjoining spine bones have become abnormally separated from each other, causing instability. Patients can have a cervical fracture or dislocation, or both. Fractures and dislocations of the cervical spine are not uncommon, and account for almost half of all spinal column injuries that occur every year. According to a study published by Lasfargues in 1995, over 25,000 cervical fractures occur each year in the United States. The majority of fractures and dislocations of the spinal column occur in the cervical spine because it is the most mobile portion of the spinal column, and understandably, the most vulnerable to injury. Although the lumbar (low back) region is most commonly injured during daily laborious, low-energy activities, the neck is most likely to be injured during high-energy trauma such as motor vehicle accidents.
Cervical fractures and dislocations are typically classified according to their region/location and injury/fracture pattern. Because of the unique anatomy of the spine in the region close to the head, cervical injuries are categorized as occipital-cervical (occiput-C2) and subaxial cervical spine (C3-C7) injuries. Within each of these categories, injuries are further stratified according to the specific location of injury and injury/fracture pattern.
Occipital-Cervical Spine (Occiput-C2)
Subaxial Cervical Spine (C3-C7)
The most common causes of cervical fractures and dislocations are motor vehicle accidents, falls, violence, and sports activities. The abrupt impact and/or twisting of the neck that occurs in a millisecond during the trauma can cause the spine bones to crack or the ligaments to rupture, or both. The initial trauma or event may cause a cervical fracture and/or instability, which may also cause damage to the spinal cord and neurologic structures. The resultant spinal cord injury and neurologic deficit, if it occurs, is the most devastating aspect of a cervical injury, primarily because it is often irreversible and permanent. The majority of spinal column and spinal cord injuries occur in males between the ages of 15 and 24 years old.
Patients with cervical fractures typically have significant, localized neck pain and stiffness. However, patients with other injuries may complain of pain in other areas and not notice the severity of neck pain. Patients who have neurologic compression or irritation may have numbness or weakness in the arms and/or legs. There may or may not be associated radiating pain symptoms. Upper cervical spine fractures and spinal cord injuries can affect the neurologic control of breathing, and patients may complain of difficulty breathing or the inability to take a deep breath.
The physical findings for patients with cervical fractures are variable. Patients will typically demonstrate profound tenderness and spasm, with significantly decreased neck range-of motion. There is often visible swelling and ecchymosis (bruising) over the fracture site in the back of the neck. If the fracture/dislocation is severe, there will be a visible and palpable "step-off", meaning the bones are not lined up properly which can be seen and felt by the examiner. If the spinal nerves are severely compressed, there may be significant weakness and numbness in the arms and/or legs. Patients will have complete loss of strength and sensation in the setting of a complete spinal cord injury. Deep tendon reflexes may be diminished or absent. Pulses and vascularity of the arms and legs should be normal.
Plain x-rays of the cervical spine are essential to adequately evaluate a cervical fracture and dislocation. It is sometimes difficult to see a non-displaced or minimally displaced fracture or instability, therefore a Computed Tomography (CT) scan is usually ordered. A CT scan is the best test to verify that a fracture is or is not present. If no fracture is identified, but a patient has neck pain and was involved in large trauma or accident, flexion/extension x-rays are often obtained to verify that there if no evidence of ligamentous instability. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test is useful to evaluate the severity of nerve compression or spinal cord injury, but is less accurate at detecting a fracture than a CT scan. A MRI test should generally always be obtained before performing a reduction procedure (closed or operative) in neurologically intact patients with a cervical fracture/dislocation.
There are no laboratory tests used to diagnose a cervical fracture. Occasionally, specific tests are ordered to rule out infection or other metabolic conditions that may be suspected as an underlying cause.
Cervical spine fractures and dislocations should always be suspected when a patient has been involved in a trauma or accident, especially those patients with neck pain. The diagnosis can be complicated when the symptoms or physical findings are atypical. Some patients with other fractures or injuries will complain about pain in other locations, but not complain of neck pain.
At times, patients may downplay the severity of the motor vehicle accident or trauma. These scenarios may sway the clinician away from ordering cervical x-rays and imaging studies, which are crucial in the diagnosis of cervical injuries. It is important for the clinician to conduct a thorough history and clinical examination (especially inspection and palpation of the spine) prior to formulating a diagnosis so as not to misdiagnose this condition. Any patient involved in a severe accident or trauma, especially those patients with neck pain, should be carefully evaluated with x-rays (and additional imaging studies if necessary) to accurately diagnose a cervical injury.
The treatment options for patients with a cervical fracture and/or dislocation are limited, and can be categorized as conservative (nonoperative) and surgical (operative). Initial treatment of severe cervical fractures and dislocations may involve skeletal traction and closed reduction, with metal pins placed in the skull connected to a pulley, rope, and weights. Nonoperative treatments include brace (orthotic) treatment and medications. There are a wide range of cervical orthoses, and range from soft collars to hard plastic cervical-thoracic orthoses to halo vest immobilization (using pins anchored into the skull stabilized by a padded plastic vest). Surgical treatments frequently involve posterior (back of the neck incision) cervical fusion (mending the spine bones together) and instrumentation (small metal screws and rods stabilizing the spine). Other options include anterior (front of the neck incision) decompression and fusion, with or without instrumentation (metal plate and screws). Severely unstable fractures may require anterior and posterior neck surgery. The overall goals of treatment are to preserve or improve neurologic function, provide stability, and decrease pain. If these goals can be accomplished with conservative (nonoperative) means, then that is generally preferred. However, because many cervical fractures and dislocations are highly unstable and will not adequately heal on their own, surgical stabilization is routinely performed. Surgical decompression (removal of bone fragments off of the spinal cord) may also be necessary to maximize a patient's chances for neurologic improvement and recovery from a spinal cord injury.
The general guidelines and treatment recommendations for various types of cervical injuries are listed below.
Atlanto-Occipital Dislocation (AOD)
Occipital Condyle Fractures
Atlanto-Axial (C1-C2) Instability (TAL Insufficiency)
Atlantoaxial Rotary Subluxation
Atlas (C1) Fracture
Odontoid (C2) Fracture
Traumatic Spondylolisthesis of the Axis (C2)
Subaxial Fractures (C3-C7)
Although there are guidelines for the treatment of cervical fractures and dislocations, the specific treatment of a cervical fracture and/or dislocation ultimately depends on a number of factors.
The clinician should carefully evaluate a patient's injuries, and with the general management guidelines for cervical fractures in mind, individualize the treatment based on all of the above-mentioned factors.
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