Cervical spine fractures
Dr Jeremy Jones and Dr Frank Gaillard et al.
Cervical spine fractures can occurs secondary to exaggerated flexion or extension, or because of direct trauma or axial loading.
The cervical spine is susceptible to injury because it is highly mobile with relatively small vertebral bodies and supports the head which is both heavy and acts as a leaver.
There are many types of cervical spine fracture, some of which are unstable; general indicators of instability include:
- more than one vertebral column involvement
- increased or reduced disc space height
- increased interspinous distance
- facet joint widening
- vertebral compression greater than 25%
Mechanism of injury
- hyperflexion - commonest mechanism
- hyperextension
- axial compression
- lateral flexion
- complex injuries
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