How do you fix an odontoid fracture?
Treatments. 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.
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).
Is odontoid fracture serious?
With odontoid fractures, the most common complication and the most serious is a nonunion of the bones that can lead to an increased mortality rate.
What is Odontoid screw fixation?
Odontoid screw fixation is the preferred method for stabilization of acute, unstable Type II odontoid fractures. It is associated with excellent clinical results and a high rate of fusion.
What is anterior screw fixation?
Anterior screw fixation is a common surgical treatment for posterior oblique and horizontal odontoid process fractures. We detail a reliable and reproducible intra-operative reduction maneuver to obtain a good union rate without complications.
What is C1 C2 fusion?
Introduction. Posterior fusion of the first and second cervical vertebrae (C1–C2) is a well-known technique for the treatment of traumatic, post-traumatic and congenital instability of C1–C2 junction. From an historical perspective, many sublaminar wiring techniques have been developed and are still in use [1–3].
Can a C2 fracture cause paralysis?
The C2 spine is the axis on which the vertebras pivot, enabling movement of the skull from side to side. C2 injuries are some of the most feared spinal cord injuries because in any spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis, the victim suffers paralysis in the rest of the body below the point of damage.
What is odontoid screw fixation?
Odontoid screw fixation is the preferred method for stabilization of acute, unstable Type II odontoid fractures. It is associated with excellent clinical results and a high rate of fusion. This is the only spinal fixation technique for fractures that restores spinal stability yet completely preserves normal spinal motion.
How are Type II odontoid fractures of the process treated?
Thirty-two patients who sustained Type II fractures of the odontoid process were surgically treated with anterior odontoid screw fixation. Odontoid screw fixation is the preferred method for stabilization of acute, unstable Type II odontoid fractures.
What is the success rate of screw fixation for odontoid fractures?
Anterior screw fixation of odontoid Type II fractures is associated with excellent clinical results and a 91% fusion rate in this series. This technique is unique because it completely preserves normal spinal motion, which is particularly prominent at the level of C1 C2. Half of all cervical rotation is sacrificed if C1 and C2 are fused.
What are the possible complications of screw fixation for dental fracture treatment?
Complications such as neurologic sequelae and loss of fracture fixation have been described, although many of these relate to early usage and inappropriate indications for this technique. The use of screw fixation in established odontoid fracture non-unions is also controversial.