C- DISLOCATIONS OF THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN
107
(f) CERVICAL FRACTURES IN ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS AND SPONDYLOSIS
Fractures of the ankylosed servical spine have been repeatedly reported in the literature
(Stiasny, 1933; Bergmann, 1949; Howorth & Petrie, 1964; Guttmann, 1966; Brackman&
Perring, 1971; Burke, 1971). The mechanism in this condition is mainly one in retro-
version of head and cervical spine and fractures may occur due to even mild accidents,
such as falling on even ground as a result of losing balance, resulting in tetraplegia.
In one case (Fig. 55a), the body of
Cj
vertebra was broken from its articulations, dis
placed forward and rotated. Reduction of the body and alignment with the body of C6
was achieved by skull traction. As seen in Fig. 55b, the body of
Cj
has not rejoined its
articulations but stability occurred by fixation of the calcified anterior ligament and bony
fixation between the bodies of C6 and
Cj.
In a second case of retro-version, the ankylosed and obliterated intervertebral disc
between C6 and
Cj
caused a rupture through the bodies of these vertebrae with rupture
FIG. 56.
