Eponymous spinal fractures

This issue has come up in Question 3 from the second paper of 2005

It needs to be treated only briefly.

Thus:

Jefferson fracture:

• Burst fracture of the atlas (C1)
• Usually combined anterior and posterior arch fractures
• Results from axial compression of C1
• Load of force must come from the vertex of the head, eg. diving into water head first or being thrown against the roof of a car or aircraft;
• May also result from hyperextension
• Unstable.

Hangman’s fracture:  

• Bilateral fracture of the posterior arch of C2 and disruption of the C2-3 junction
• The posterior  longitudinal  ligament may be severed
• Due tot his, there may be significant anterior displacement of C2 on C3
• This can sever the spinal cord at this level
• Caused by C-spine hyperextension with vertical  compression  of  the  posterior  column
• One scanrio suggested by  the cllege is "a car accident victim’s head striking the dashboard".
• Unstable.

Clay-shoveller’s fracture:

• Fracture of the spinous process only
• An avulsion fracture by the supraspinous ligament of the spinous process caused hyperflexion.
• Stable.