Which dens fractures are unstable?
Type II fractures are the most common type of odontoid fracture. These fractures are unstable and prone to nonunion because they occur in an area of relatively reduced osseous vascularity. Therefore, rigid halo immobilization or surgical stabilization is often necessary. Hadley et al.
How serious is a dens fracture?
Dens fractures are more common in the elderly and may present after minimal trauma and with minimal neck pain. The case reports a case of a significant fracture after minimal trauma, presenting with neurologic symptoms and minimal neck pain.
Is a hangman’s fracture stable?
This fracture is stable because the anterior longitudinal ligament and posterior longitudinal ligaments are intact along with the C2/C3 disk. Type II: Caused by axial loading and hyperextension followed by a rebound flexion and axial loading.
How long does a dens fracture take 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).
What is a type 2 dens fracture?
A type II odontoid fracture is a break that occurs through a specific part of C2, the second bone in the neck. Bones of the spine are called vertebrae. The bone involved in odontoid fracture is the second vertebra, C2, high up in the neck.
What is Type 2 fracture?
Type 2. This fracture occurs when the growth plate is hit and splits away from the joint along with a small piece of the bone shaft. This is the most common type and happens most often in children over 10. About 75 percent of Salter-Harris fractures are type 2.
What is a Type 2 fracture?
How does a hangman’s fracture occur?
Hangman’s fracture happens when the head is snapped up and back with great force, which is known as a hyperextension injury. The most common causes of this injury are falls and car accidents. Some sports injuries or collisions can also cause this fracture.
How is a dens fracture treated?
Treatment options for type II odontoid fractures can be nonsurgical or surgical. Nonsurgical measures include immobilization, prevent or restrict movement, in a cervical collar or halo vest. Surgery may be required if the fracture has resulted in neurologic symptoms and/or the spine has become unstable.
What do dens do?
The odontoid process, also known as the dens, is an upward projectile of bone that arises from the front part of the center of the axis vertebra. This arrangement allows for a lot of freedom of motion between the combination of the head, first vertebra (atlas), and 2nd vertebra (axis).
What is a Type 3 fracture?
A type III fracture (see the images below) is a fracture through the physis and epiphysis. This fracture passes through the hypertrophic layer of the physis and extends to split the epiphysis, inevitably damaging the reproductive layer of the physis.
What is treatment for C2 fracture?
If the fracture is minor, treatment will likely include immobilization and pain medication until the fracture heals. 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.
What is fracture of the dens?
A fracture of the odontoid bone (also called the dens), is an upward extension of C2 cervical vertebrae (i.e., axis) up into the C1 cervical vertebrae (i.e., atlas) and is held in place partially by the alar, apical and transverse ligaments. There are three types of dens fractures with type II being the most common.
What does the dens at cervical 2 mean?
The dens, also known as the odontoid process, is a peg-like bone pointing up from the second cervical vertebra (C2) and connects to the first cervical vertebra (C1) and enables head rotation.