Journal article
Association between Cervical Spine Degeneration and the Presence of Dens Fractures
Zeitschrift für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Vol.158(1), pp.46-50
02/2020
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/109000
PMID: 30965365
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
Results of a small case series indicate an increased risk of dens fractures in patients with osteoarthritis. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to analyze the relative risks associated with degeneration of the cervical spine in the occurrence of dens fractures in older patients.
Methods
We performed a retrospective CT study of 1,794 patients > 55 years of age with and without dens fractures for signs of osteoarthritis (OA).
Results
OA of the atlanto-dens interval (AdI) was present in 75.9% of fracture patients, whereas 63.5% of non-fracture patients had OA of the AdI (p = 0.04). In cases of osteoarthritis of the facet joints, we did find a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the dens fracture risk in patients with OA.
Conclusions
This study indicates an association between OA of the cervical spine and the risk of sustaining a dens fracture. OA can lead to a reduction in the range of motion of the cervical spine. As a consequence, a relatively low-energy trauma can induce a forced sagittal motion, which will produce a torque at the base of the odontoid process resulting in a fracture.
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Details
- Title
- Association between Cervical Spine Degeneration and the Presence of Dens Fractures
- Creators
- Marcel Betsch - Department of OrthopaedicsSabina Blizzard - Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United StatesBala Krishnamoorthy - Department of Mathematics, Washington State University – Vancouver, Washington, United StatesJung Yoo - Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
- Publication Details
- Zeitschrift für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Vol.158(1), pp.46-50
- Academic Unit
- Mathematics and Statistics, Department of
- Publisher
- Georg Thieme Verlag KG; Stuttgart · New York
- Identifiers
- 99900547065301842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article