Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Spinal Fractures

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Management and Rehabilitation of Spinal Cord Injuries

Abstract

A typical mechanism of mechanical injury that causes spinal fractures is the four loads of flexion, extension, rotation, and compression. A more complicated movement with combinations of the basic four external loads leads to fractures. These fractures and dislocations of the spine due to these external forces, along with damage to the blood vessels, spinal cord blood flow, and ligaments, lead to various clinical symptoms and consequences. As a result, secondary spinal cord damage is caused by concussion, contusion, laceration, and transection.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Allen BL, Gerguson RL, Lehmann TR, et al. A mechanistic classification of closed, indirect fractures and dislocations of the lower cervical spine. Spine. 1982;7:1–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anand N, Vaccaro AR, Kim MR, et al. Evolution of thoracolumbar trauma classification systems: assessing the conflict between mechanism and morphology of injury. Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil. 2006;12:70–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson LD, D’Alonzo RT. Fractures of the odontoid process of the axis. J Bone Joint Surg. 1974;56-A:60–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson PA, Montesano PX. Morphology and treatment of occipital condyle fracture. Spine. 1988;13:731–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Breig A, el-Nadi AF. Biomechanics of the cervical spinal cord. Relief of contact pressure on and overstretching of the spinal cord. Acta Radiol Diagn (Stockh). 1966;4:602–24.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Breig A, Turnbull I, Hassler O. Effects of mechanical stresses on the spinal cord in cervical spondylosis. A study on fresh cadaver material. J Neurosurg. 1966;25:45–56.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denis F. The three-column spine and its significance in the classification of acute thoracolumbar spine injuries. Spine. 1983;8:817–31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fielding JW, Cochran GVB, Lansing JF III. Tears of the transverse ligament of the atlas: a clinical and biomechanical study. J Bone Joint Surg. 1974;56-A:1683–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holdsworth F. Fractures, dislocations and fracture-dislocation of the spine. J Bone Joint Surg. 1970;52-A:1534–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson RS, Banit DM, Rhyne AL, et al. Upper cervical spine injuries. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2002;10:271–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karlstrom G, Olerud S. Internal fixation of fractures and dislocations in the cervical spine. Orthpedics. 1987;51:496–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magerl F, Aebi M, Gertzbem S, et al. A comprehensive classification of the thoracic and lumbar injuries. Eur Spine J. 1994;3:184–201.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Menezes AH, Traynelis VC. Anatomy and biomechanics of normal craniovertebral junction (a) and biomechanics of stabilization (b). Childs Nerv Syst. 2008;24:1091–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panjabi MM, White AA III, Johnson RM. Cervical spine mechanics as a function of ligament transection. J Bone Joint Surg. 1975;57-A:582–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shedid D, Benzel EC. Cervical spondylosis anatomy: pathophysiology and biomechanics. Neurosurgery. 2007;60:S7–13.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spence KF Jr, Decker J, Sell KW. Bursting atlantal fracture associated with rupture of the transverse ligament. J Bone Joint Surg. 1970;52-A:543–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stauffer ES. Management of spine fractures C3-C7. Orthopaedic Clin North Am. 1986;17:45–53.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sundgren PC, Philipp M, Maly PV. Spinal trauma. Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2007;17:73–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sweeney PJ. Clinical evaluation of cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy. Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 1995;5:321–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • White AA 3rd, Punjabi M. Update on the evaluation of instability of the lower lumbar spine. Instr Course Lect. 1987;36:513–20.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • White A, Southwick W, Punjabi M. Clinical instability in the lower cervical spine: a review of past and current concepts. Spine. 1976;1:15–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang S, Wadhwa R, Haydel J, et al. Spine and spinal cord trauma: diagnosis and management. Neurol Clin. 2013;31:183–206.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Suggested Reading

  • Altman J, Bayer SA. Development of the human spinal cord: an interpretation based on experimental studies. 1st ed. New York: Oxford University Press; 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Spinal Injury Association (2015) International standards for neurological classification of spinal cord injury. Revised 2011. Updated 2015th ed. Atlanta: American Spinal Injury Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byrne TN, Benzel EC, Waxman SG. Diseases of the spine and spinal cord. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell WW. DeJong’s the neurologic examination. 7th ed. New York: Wolters Kluwer Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chhabra HS, editor. ISCoS textbook on comprehensive management of spinal cord injuries. New Delhi: Wolters Kluwer; 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eagler GL, Cole J, Merton WL, editors. Spinal cord diseases: diagnosis and treatment. New York: Marcel Dekker Inc.; 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fehlings MG, Vccaro AR, Roakye M, Rossignol S, Ditunno JF, Burns AS, editors. Essentials of spinal cord injury: basic research to clinical practice. New York: Thieme; 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  • Felten DL, O’Banion MK, Maida MS. Netter’s atlas of neuroscience. 3rd. London: Elsevier; 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hattingen E, Klein JC, Weidauer S, Vrionis F, Setzer M, editors. Diseases of the spinal cord. Heidelberg: Springer; 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holtz A, Levi R. Spinal cord injury. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jallo J, Vaccaro AR, editors. Neurotrauma and critical care of the spine. 2nd ed. New York: Thieme; 2018.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirshblum S, Campagnolo DI, editors. Spinal cord medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mtuid E, Gruener G, Dockery P. Fitzgerald’s clinical neuroanatomy and neuroscience. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noback CR, Strominger NL, Demarest RJ, Ruggiero DA. The human nervous system: structure and function. 6th ed. Totoma: Humana Press; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Passias PG, editor. Cervical myelopathy. Philadelphia: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd; 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patestas MA, Gartner LP. A text book of neuroanatomy. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing; 2006.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thron AK. Vascular anatomy of the spinal cord. Neurological investigations and clinical syndromes. New York: Springer; 1988.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Vaccaro AR, Fehlings MG, Dvorak MF, editors. Spine and spinal cord trauma, evidence-based management. New York: Thieme Medical Publishers; 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanderah T, Gould DJ. Nolte’s the human brain. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vinken PJ, Bruyn GW, editors. Injuries of the spine and spinal cord. Part I. Handbook of clinical neurology, vol. 25. Oxford: North-Holland Publishing Company; 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilberger JE, editor. Spinal cord injuries in children. New York: Futura Publishing Company; 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Windle WF. The spinal cord and its reaction to traumatic injury. In: Bousquet WF, Palmer RF, editors. Modern pharmacology-toxicology: a series of monographs and textbooks. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.; 1980.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Rehabilitation Hospital, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea

    Hyun-Yoon Ko MD, PhD

Authors
  1. Hyun-Yoon Ko MD, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Ko, HY. (2019). Spinal Fractures. In: Management and Rehabilitation of Spinal Cord Injuries. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7033-4_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7033-4_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-7032-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-7033-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation