Monday, October 11, 2010

extension Tear Drop Fracture

  • Fracture of the cervical spine caused by the sudden pull of the anterior longitudinal ligament on the anterior, inferior aspect of the vertebral body following extreme hyperextension of the neck
  • Usually involves C2
    • Anterior longitudinal ligament inserts on anteroinferior aspect of C2
  • Fracture of C2 is stable in flexion and unstable in hyperextension

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