FRACTURES OF THE AXIS (C2)

FRACURES OF THE AXIS OR C-2 USUALLY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF SOME KIND OF TRAUMA. THE TRAUMA CAN BE A SUDDEN, SEVERE TWISTING OF THE NECK, OR A SEVERE BLOW TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD OR NECK. MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS, FALLS, AND SPORTS INJURIES ARE THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF C-2 FRACTURES.

SYMPTOMS INCLUDE PAIN AT THE POINT OF INJURY. BRUISING AND SWELLING. PAIN AND NUMBNESS DOWN THE NECK AND INTO THE SHOULDERS. IF THE DENS OF C-2 IS FRACTURED, THERE MAY BE PARALYSIS FROM THE NECK DOWN.

NO MATTER THE SEVERITY OF THE FRACTURE, IMMOBILIZATION OF THE NECK IS DONE. A SEVERE FRACTURE OF ONE INVOLVING THE DENS MAY LEAD TO SURGERY. IMMOBILIZATION CAN BE AS SIMPLE AS A COLLAR, TO TRACTION WITH WEIGHTS AND A PULLEY, TO A HALO BRACE.

WITH PROPER IMMOBILIZATION AND HEALING A FULL RECOVERY FROM A C-2 FRACTURE IS POSSIBLE.