What is a teardrop fracture?
What is a teardrop fracture?
A flexion teardrop fracture occurs when flexion of the spine, along with vertical axial compression, causes a fracture of the anteroinferior aspect of the vertebral body. This fragment is displaced anteriorly and resembles a teardrop (see the image below).
What happens when you fracture C5?
If the injury is at or above the C5 vertebra, the person may be unable to breathe since the spinal cord nerves located between the third and fifth cervical vertebrae control respiration. Damage to the spinal cord at the C5 vertebra also affects the vocal cords, biceps, and deltoid muscles in the upper arms.
Is a teardrop fracture stable?
The tear drop fracture of the lower cervical spine is generally associated with a high incidence of neurological deficits and surgery is needed to treat this injury. Tear drop fracture of C2 is usually a stable fracture that is amendable to conservative treatment.
What happens if you fracture your C5 and C6 vertebrae?
An injury to the spinal cord at the C5-C6 level may cause pain, weakness, or paralysis in the arms and/or legs. There may be loss of bowel and bladder control or breathing problems in some cases.
Can a C5 C6 quadriplegic walk again?
Fortunately, it is possible for many SCI survivors. There is potential to walk again after SCI because the spinal cord has the ability to reorganize itself and make adaptive changes called neuroplasticity.
Is an extension teardrop fracture unstable?
These fractures are unstable and are associated with anterior cord syndrome (quadriplegia; loss of pain, touch, and temperature sensations, but with retention of posterior column functions—proprioception and vibration), secondary to impingement of the cord by the hyperkyphotic vertebral segment or, more commonly, by …
What are symptoms of C5 fracture?
Retaining the ability to speak and breathe without assistance,though respiration may be weak
What are symptoms of C5 spinal cord injury?
Symptoms of a C5 Level Spinal Cord Injury. Symptoms of a spinal cord injury corresponding to C5 vertebrae include: Ability to speak and breathe on their own, but breathing will be weak. Paralysis in torso, legs, wrists, and hands. Paralysis may be experienced on one or both sides.
What is a C5 fracture?
The fifth cervical vertebra (C5) is the fifth vertebra from the top of the column. The C5 is a significant landmark when determining the likely consequences of trauma to the neck and spinal column. If the spinal cord injury is at or above the C5, the person may be unable to breathe, since the spinal cord nerves located between…
What is a flexion teardrop fracture of the cervical spine?
Flexion teardrop fractures represent a fracture pattern occurring in severe axial/flexion injury of the cervical spine. They are important to recognize because they indicate extensive underlying ligamentous injury and spinal instability.
