Hangman's fracture clinical features

Most (≈ 95%) are neurologically intact, those few with deficits are usually minor (paresthesias, monoparesis…) and many recover within one month.

Almost all conscious patients will have cervical pain usually in the upper posterior cervical region, and occipital neuralgia is not uncommon.

There is a high incidence of associated head injury and there will be other associated C-spine injuries —e.g. C1 fracture (see above) or clay shoveler’s fracture —in ≈ one third, with most occurring in the upper 3 cervical levels. There are usually external signs of injury to the face and head associated with the hyperextending and axial force.

Post-traumatic neck pain after a high-velocity hyperextension injury is the most common presentation.

Most (≈ 95%) are neurologically intact, those few with deficits are usually minor (paresthesias, monoparesis…) and many recovers within one month.

Almost all conscious patients will have cervical pain usually in the upper posterior cervical region, and occipital neuralgia is not uncommon.

There is a high incidence of associated head injury and there will be other associated C-spine injuries —e.g. C1 fracture or clay shoveler’s fracture—in ≈ one third, with most occurring in the upper 3 cervical levels. There are usually external signs of injury to the face and head associated with the hyperextending and axial force.