What causes a teardrop fracture?
What causes a teardrop fracture?
Teardrop fracture is caused by high-energy axial compression of the flexed cervical spine due to trauma involving head impact such as: diving into shallow water, fall from high height, motor vehicle crash, or sports impact.
Are teardrop fractures 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 is an extension teardrop fracture?
Extension teardrop fracture typically occurs due to forced extension of the neck with resulting avulsion of the anteroinferior corner of the vertebral body. Extension teardrop fractures are stable in flexion and unstable in extension as the anterior longitudinal ligament is disrupted.
Why is a teardrop fracture unstable?
Since the fragment displaces anteriorly, a significant degree of anterior ligamentous disruption exists. This injury involves disruption of all 3 columns, making this an extremely unstable fracture that frequently is associated with spinal cord injury.
What is a burst fracture in the spine?
Spaces between the vertebrae allow nerves to pass from the spinal cord to various parts of the body. A compression fracture is a condition in which a vertebra is crushed only in the front part of the spine, causing a wedge shape. If a vertebra is crushed in all directions, the condition is called a burst fracture.
Is KFS hereditary?
In most cases, Klippel Feil syndrome (KFS) is not inherited in families and the cause is unknown. In some families, KFS is due to a genetic alteration in the GDF6, GDF3 or MEOX1 gene and can be inherited. When KFS is caused by mutations in the GDF6 or GDF3 genes, it is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.
Why is it called a hangman’s fracture?
The hangman’s fracture refers to a break in a bone known as C2, because it is the second bone down from the skull in your cervical (neck) vertebrae.
How long does it take a wedge fracture to heal?
Compression fractures usually heal on their own in about 3 months. While that happens, your doctor may suggest you try some things at home that can make you feel better, such as pain medicines, rest, physical therapy, or a back brace.
Can you drive with a fractured back?
Patients with acute spinal fractures, including compression fractures, should not drive until the fracture has been stabilized and painful symptoms cease to interfere with control of the motor vehicle.
What is Brown Séquard syndrome?
Brown-Sequard syndrome (BSS) is a rare neurological condition characterized by a lesion in the spinal cord which results in weakness or paralysis (hemiparaplegia) on one side of the body and a loss of sensation (hemianesthesia) on the opposite side.
How long does a burst fracture take to heal?
In these patients, treatment with a brace may lead to an excellent result. In general a molded turtle shell type brace (TLSO) or a body cast is required for the treatment of a burst fracture. This brace is usually worn for eight to twelve weeks in order to ensure adequate healing.
What kind of injury is a teardrop fracture?
The teardrop fracture is a fracture of the anteroinferior aspect of the vertebral body. Flexion injuries range from the least severe, anterior subluxation, to the most severe, the teardrop fracture .
Which is the best treatment for a tear drop fracture?
Anterior plate stabilization was an effective treatment for the flexion type tear drop fracture. Conservative treatment is thought to be one of the good clinical methods for treating the extension type tear drop fracture. Keywords: Cervical spine, Tear drop fracture, Anterior plate stabilization Go to: Introduction
How to diagnose a flexion teardrop fracture?
Flexion teardrop fracture 1 Pathology. The injury typically occurs from severe flexion and compression forces (e.g. 2 Radiographic features. Flexion teardrop fractures most commonly occur at mid/lower cervical spine, specifically at C4, C5, or C6 1,2. 3 Radiology report. 4 Treatment and prognosis. 5 Differential diagnosis.
What kind of injury is a cervical tear drop fracture?
Cervical tear drop fracture is divided into two types based on the mechanism of injury, and most of which is flexion type injury. The cases of cervical tear drop fracture of the C2 vertebral body usually manifest as a hyperextension type injury. The anterior longitudinal ligament originates from the base of C2 (the axis).