i wish your husband good luck,i know what he is going thru ,i haVE A C2 FRACTURE ,BUT I INJURED 1-4 IN A CAR ACCIDENT,SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND ,I ALSO HAVE OTHER INJURIES,BUT I ENDED UP WITH OPERATIONS ON MY SPINE,DISKS HAD DECOMPRESSION DONE AND I ALSO SUFFER WITH HORRIBLE HEADACHES AND NUMBNESS ON BOTH SIDES OF MY BODY AND PAIN ALSO IN PLACES,JUST KEEP THE FAITH AND STAY STRONG,IM JUST THANKFUL TO BE ALIVE AND WALKING, GOD BLESS EVERYONE WITH YOUR HEALINGS,LOVE LINDA
Hi Dear
The upper cervical spine is defined by the 2 most cephalad cervical vertebrae, C1 (the atlas) and C2 (the axis). This region is distinct in anatomic shape and is more mobile than the lower cervical spine, the subaxial cervical spine. The occipital condyles of the head (or the globe) rest upon the lateral masses of C1 (the atlas). These articular facets allow most of the flexion and extension of the head on the neck as the occipital condyles articulate on the atlas.
An increased overhang of the lateral masses over the C2 facet totaling more than 6.9 mm suggests a fracture with disruption of the transverse odontoid ligament that may otherwise constrain displacement. most commonly occurs as the result of axial loading on the head through the occiput, leading to a burst-type fracture of C1. Diving is the most frequent cause of this fracture, when it results from striking the head on an obstacle in shallow water.
Radiographs specifically include the open mouth view.
Treatment of the C1 fracture consists of stabilization or immobilization in a satisfactorily reduced position to allow reliable healing. This illustrates the necessity of identifying associated injuries; for example, if a Jefferson fracture is identified but an associated odontoid fracture, transverse ligament fracture, or other problem is present, then halo treatment may be modified or less successful. The transverse ligament is not necessarily expected to heal tightly or reliably, although a bony fracture would be expected to have mechanical integrity restored when healed.
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