How do you fracture the dens?

Odontoid fractures occur as a result of trauma to the cervical spine. In younger patients, they are typically the result of high-energy trauma, which occurs as a result of motor vehicle or diving accidents.

How serious is a dens fracture?

Dens fractures are more common in the elderly and may present after minimal trauma and with minimal neck pain. The case reports a case of a significant fracture after minimal trauma, presenting with neurologic symptoms and minimal neck pain.

What is a dens fracture called?

Odontoid process fracture, also known as a peg or dens fracture, occurs where there is a fracture through the odontoid process of C2.

What is dens in bones?

The odontoid process, also known as the dens, is an upward projectile of bone that arises from the front part of the center of the axis vertebra. (The axis is the 2nd highest spinal bone.) The atlas is the first bone of your neck; it sits on top of the axis.

How is a dens fracture treated?

Treatment options for type II odontoid fractures can be nonsurgical or surgical. Nonsurgical measures include immobilization, prevent or restrict movement, in a cervical collar or halo vest. Surgery may be required if the fracture has resulted in neurologic symptoms and/or the spine has become unstable.

What is the purpose of the dens?

It is a blunt tooth–like process that projects upward. It is also referred to as the ‘dens’ (Latin for ‘tooth’) or odontoid process. The dens provides a type of pivot and collar allowing the head and atlas to rotate around the dens.

What is a type 2 dens fracture?

A type II odontoid fracture is a break that occurs through a specific part of C2, the second bone in the neck. Bones of the spine are called vertebrae. The bone involved in odontoid fracture is the second vertebra, C2, high up in the neck.

Where is a dens fracture?

A fracture of the odontoid bone (also called the dens), is an upward extension of C2 cervical vertebrae (i.e., axis) up into the C1 cervical vertebrae (i.e., atlas) and is held in place partially by the alar, apical and transverse ligaments. There are three types of dens fractures with type II being the most common.

How do I adjust my atlas bone?

Do an intense stretch for two to two and a half minutes. Then repeat the same exercise on the right. With this exercise, you effectively expand the many lateral muscles and fasciae strands attached to the atlas vertebra. This allows you to relieve tension, by thus correcting the atlas yourself.

How an injury to the odontoid process can be fatal?

Injuries to the Odontoid Process . A number of injuries can affect the dens, including trauma that pushes the top of the skull down, which may in result in the dens being pushed into the brain stem. This will likely cause death .

What is fracture of the dens?

A fracture of the odontoid bone (also called the dens), is an upward extension of C2 cervical vertebrae (i.e., axis) up into the C1 cervical vertebrae (i.e., atlas) and is held in place partially by the alar, apical and transverse ligaments. There are three types of dens fractures with type II being the most common.

What is a Type 3 fracture?

A type III fracture (see the images below) is a fracture through the physis and epiphysis. This fracture passes through the hypertrophic layer of the physis and extends to split the epiphysis, inevitably damaging the reproductive layer of the physis.

What is type II dens fracture?

A type II dens fracture is the most common type of odontoid process fracture. It occurs at the base of the dens at its junction with the axis (Figure 1). This type of fracture has a very high risk of non-union due to the reduced blood flow to the fracture fragment.