Anterior atlantoaxial dislocation with odontoid fracture

Traumatic atlanto-axial instability refers to the violent damage to the bone and ligament structure, loss of normal function and stabilization, which can lead to atlantoaxial dislocation or subluxation, causing symptoms of nerve compression. From the anatomy of the tooth process, there are apical ligaments attached to the anterior edge of the occipital foramen and wing-shaped ligaments attached to the medial edge of the occipital condyle on both sides. This group of ligaments is in harmony with the transverse ligament of the atlas. Stability and movement between occipital and atlantoaxial joints. However, if the head and neck are flexed extremely forward, or stretched backwards, or rotated violently to the left or right, this group of ligaments is under high tension, which can cause fractures of the tooth process. Dislocation of the pivot joint. Among them, the front dislocation caused by forward flexion of the head and neck is more common; the rear dislocation is relatively rare, but with the development of the highway, the increase of speed and the increasing number of vehicles, the damage will increase.

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