Spine Case 14 Management

ED spine surgery consultation is necessary. Jefferson fractures are typically treated conservatively with hard collar immobilization for 6 to 12 weeks. However, if the transverse atlantal ligament is disrupted (widening of the atlantodental interval or ligamentous injury on MRI), then the injury is considered to be unstable. In those situations, the treatment is operative with halo immobilization and C1/C2 fixation.