How serious is a C2 fracture?
How serious is a C2 fracture?
Injuries to the C1 and C2 vertebrae are rare, accounting for only 2% of spinal injuries each year. However, they are also considered to be the worst spinal cord injury that it is possible to sustain, and often fatal.
What mechanisms of injury are associated with a C2 fracture of the Odontoid process?
Odontoid fracture with anterior displacement Odontoid fractures can be caused by both extension and flexion forces. When a flexion/shear force is the cause of an odontoid fracture, there is anterior displacement of C1 on C2, although this may also be seen as sequelae of an extension injury.
How is a C2 fracture treated?
Treatment for type I C2 (axis) fractures is hard-collar immobilization for 6-8 weeks, which usually is quite successful. Type II fractures can be managed conservatively or surgically….Odontoid fractures
- Halo immobilization.
- Internal fixation (odontoid screw fixation)
- Posterior atlantoaxial arthrodesis.
How long does it take for an odontoid fracture to heal?
Most consider a type I odontoid fracture a stable fracture and treat for six to 12 weeks in a rigid cervical orthosis (hard cervical collar).
Can you survive a C2 break?
Severe C2 fractures may require surgery and physical therapy. If a C2 fracture does not result in paralysis, the victim may experience pain or problems moving the head until the fracture completely heals. The prognosis for a C2 fracture is typically good if the fracture didn’t cause paralysis.
Can a C2 fracture heal without surgery?
In some cases, immobilization and bracing can allow the fracture to heal on its own. However, if the fracture is unstable, surgical intervention is often considered the best choice. Surgeons can restore proper spinal alignment and fix the spine in place with wires, plates, and/or screws.
What does the odontoid process do?
The odontoid process provides a pivot point — called an axis of motion — around which the skull and the first cervical vertebra (the atlas) rotate, twist and/or turn (these are really all the same thing.)
How long does a C2 fracture take to heal?
Typically, recovery after nonsurgical treatment of C1-C2 takes 8 to 12 weeks.
How do you align C1 C2?
Some common nonsurgical treatments for C1-C2 include:
- Medication.
- Immobilization.
- Physical therapy.
- Chiropractic manipulation.
- Traction refers to stretching and/or realigning the spine to relieve direct nerve pressure and stress on the vertebral levels.
Can you walk after a C2 fracture?
A C2 SCI can affect movement and sensation from the neck down. However, depending on the severity of your SCI, you may be able to move and feel areas innervated below your level of injury.
What is an Odontoid fracture?
Odontoid Fractures are relatively common fractures of the C2 (axis) dens that can be seen in low energy falls in elderly patients and high energy traumatic injuries in younger patients.
What is the prognosis of C2 fractures?
C2 fractures are associated with a 20% and 40% increased risk of mortality within 3 months and 2 years , respectively. The majority of C2 fracture types are type-II dens fractures. This is troublesome because these have a pseudoarthrosis (non-union) rate that exceeds 50%.
What is treatment for C2 fracture?
Options for treatment for C2 fractures are surgery to stabilize the fracture or nonsurgical treatment (immobilization) to allow the fracture to heal.
What are C2 fractures?
Mechanics of a Hangman’s Fracture. Patients with minor C2 fractures may discover their injuries after experiencing neck pain from a high-velocity hyperextension injury.
How are Type III C2 fractures treated?
Type III fractures extend into the C2 vertebral body. This fracture type can be mechanically unstable but usually heals well with immobilization. As such, treatment usually entails cervical immobilization in either a rigid cervical orthosis or a halovest for 12 weeks, and the majority of patients heal by bony union.
