C1 Fractures eMedicine Orthopedics

Description: This area of the upper cervical spine is extremely mobile, and its stability is dependent on ligamentous structures. In unresponsive patients or those who are unable to report symptoms or pain, a C1 fracture or an occipital cervical dislocation must be excluded by radiographic screening. Also, displacement of the C1 ring may occur if the capsule or ligaments are disrupted, even without a C1 fracture; hence, the head may be displaced on the neck, and the atlas may also rotate around the odontoid or sustain a fracture of the dens.
Synonyms and related keywords: C-1 fractures, cervical fracture, Jefferson's fracture, Jefferson fracture, axial burst fracture of the atlas, spine fracture, broken neck
Foster 2006