JOURNAL ARTICLE
REVIEW
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Treatment of displaced type II odontoid fractures in elderly patients.

Odontoid fractures are the most common cervical spine fractures for patients older than 70 years and are the most common of all spinal fractures for patients older than 80. Type II fracture, the most common type of odontoid fracture, is considered relatively unstable. It occurs at the base of the odontoid between the level of the transverse ligament and the C2 vertebral body. In the geriatric population, it is important to look for any associated clinical comorbidities that might affect management. Treatment options for displaced odontoid fractures can be conservative or surgical. Conservative management includes immobilization in a cervical collar or in a halo vest. External immobilization with a cervical collar has had inconsistent results. Halo vest immobilization in the elderly is associated with a significant nonunion rate and several complications. Generally accepted surgical indications are polytrauma, neurologic deficit, associated unstable subaxial spine injury that requires surgical fixation, and symptomatic nonunion. Surgical management includes either anterior odontoid screw fixation or posterior C1-C2 instrumentation with fusion.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app