stable injury
protected from bone and joint displacement by intact POSTERIOR SPINAL ligaments
1 column
unstable injury
can become displaced w/ movement
3 columns
avulsion fracture
muscle is pulled away by muscle tendon/ligament
clay shoveler's fracture
avulsion of SP, hyperflexion
impaction fracture
due to compression forced related to axial loading (i.e cervical spine burst fracture)
type 1 dens fracture
avulsion of tip caused by alar or apical ligament stress
type 2 dens fracture
fracture @ junction of dens body, most common, and most difficult to heal
type 3 dens fracture
fracture deep below junction, heals readily
wedge fracture
hyperflexion and stable
burst fracture
axial compression, may or may not be stable
normal thoracic positioning (fractures that happen here lead to exaggerated...)
kyphosis (toward flexion)
scoliosis
lateral shifting of spine, rotational change in ribs
disc bulging
generalized extension of 50-100% of disc circumference (NOT HERNIATION)
disc herniation (protrustion)
localized (focal) extension of disc material beyond usual limits wherein base of material is wider than apex
disc herniation (extrusion)
same as protrusion but disc material has narrower neck
extrusion w/ sequestration
disc material has COMPLETELY SEPARATED from parent disc
anterior longitudinal ligament
prevents disc herniations in anterior direction
posterior longitudinal ligament
prevents disc herniations in posterior direction
anterior column
A.L.L, anterior 2/3 of vertebrae and intervertebral discs
middle
P.L.L, posterior 1/3 of bodies and intervertebral discs
posterior column
everything posterior to P.L.L
jefferson fracture
axial compression (diving accident)
teardrop
triangular fracture, ligament rupture hyperflexion
hangmans fracture
hyperextension, bilateral pedicles
foraminal encroachment
nerves being pinched due to stenosis
scoliosis operation in youth
> 45 degrees
scoliosis operation in adults
>50 degrees
Cobb method
angle measured to assess severity of scoliosis