Spinal fractures

Changed by Daniel J Bell, 5 Mar 2021

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Spinal fractures are usually the result of significant trauma to a normally formed skeleton or the result of trauma to a weakened spinal column. Examples include:

Jefferson fracture: ring fracture of C1
hangman fracture: bilateral pedicle or pars fracture of C2
dens fracture
flexion teardrop fracture: unstable flexion fracture
extension teardrop fracture: stable injury
clay-shoveler fracture: spinal process avulsion injury
Chance fracture: horizontal fracture through the thoracolumbar spine
burst fracture: always involves the posterior vertebral body cortex
wedge fracture: single column anterior vertebral fracture
vertebra plana: vertebra has lost almost its entire height both anteriorly and posteriorly
chalk-stick fracture: most frequently in ankylosing spondylitis
limbus fracture: fracture of the apophyseal ring

Further information about specific fractures can be found by anatomic site:

Differential diagnoses

~~limbus vertebra: can~~
These may mimic a fracture
- limbus vertebra
See also

~~-</ul><h4>Differential diagnoses</h4><ul><li>~~
~~-<a href="/articles/limbus-vertebra">limbus vertebra</a>: can mimic a fracture</li></ul><h4>See also</h4><ul>~~
+</ul><h4>Differential diagnoses</h4><p>These may mimic a fracture</p><ul>
+<li><a href="/articles/limbus-vertebra">limbus vertebra</a></li>
+<li><a title="Intercalary bone" href="/articles/intercalary-bone">intercalary bone</a></li>
+</ul><h4>See also</h4><ul>

Updates to Synonym Attributes

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