How serious is a C1 fracture?

A C1 break can be very unstable. Surgery is often necessary to stabilize the vertebrae and prevent further damage. A procedure called surgical decompression may be performed.

What is a C1 fracture?

The C1 vertebra (atlas) is a closed ring. A fracture of a closed ring necessarily results in at least two areas of ring disruption. These disruptions are customarily accompanied by a spread of the C1 ring fragments as a result of the axial loading mechanism of this injury and the weight of the head.

How do you fix a C1 fracture?

In the absence of significant displacement, C1 fractures can often be treated with a period of rigid collar immobilization. In cases with more significant fracture displacement, more rigid immobilization with the halo vest or Minerva jacket may be required.

Can a C1 fracture cause paralysis?

A C1 through C2 vertebrae injury is considered to be the most severe of all spinal cord injuries as it can lead to full paralysis—but is most often fatal. Depending upon their severity, these types of spinal cord injury are either categorized as complete or incomplete.

Is C1 The most serious spinal injury?

A C1 through C2 vertebrae injury is considered to be the most severe of all spinal cord injuries as it can lead to full paralysis—but is most often fatal.

Can C1 be fixed?

Surgical methods used in the C1-C2 vertebral levels include: Fusion of the C1-C2 vertebrae. This surgery is usually performed at the back of the cervical spine. The fractured vertebrae are fixed together with wires, plates, and screws.

What nerves are affected by C1?

The cervical spinal nerve 1 (C1) is a spinal nerve of the cervical segment. C1 carries predominantly motor fibres, but also a small meningeal branch that supplies sensation to parts of the dura around the foramen magnum (via dorsal rami)….Cervical spinal nerve 1.

Cervical spinal nerve
Latin	Nervi spinalis
FMA	6440
Anatomical terminology

What does your C1 control?

The C1 vertebrae is named atlas and the C2 vertebrae is named axis. As well as protecting the spinal cord, these vertebrae are primarily responsible for facilitating and controlling the large range of movement that your neck has, and supporting the considerable weight of your skull at the tip of your spine.

What is a lateral mass?

The lateral mass is the bony junction between the superior and inferior articular processes, separated medially from the lamina by the medial facet line (a sulcus at the junction of the lamina and facet).

What is C1 connected to?

C1 Vertebra (the atlas). The atlas connects to the occipital bone above to support the base of the skull and form the atlanto-occipital joint. More of the head’s forward/backward range of motion occurs at this joint compared to any other spinal joint.

What movement does C1 allow and why?

The cervical vertebrae C1 is attached directly to the skull, which allows for any nodding lateral motions.

What is the function of C1?

The C1 vertebra, known as the atlas, is the superior-most vertebra in the spinal column. It plays vital roles in the support of the skull, spinal cord, and vertebral arteries and provides attachment points for several muscles of the neck.

Where is C1 in your back?

neck
The C1 and C2 vertebrae are the highest of the spinal vertebrae and are located at the very top of the neck, connecting the head to the spine. The C1 vertebrae is named atlas and the C2 vertebrae is named axis.