Trauma to the lower cervical spine (sub-axial or C3–C7) in adults

Abstract

In comparison to upper cervical and thoraco-lumbar regions, injury to the lower cervical spine (subaxial, C3–C7) is more likely to be associated with spinal cord injury. This makes this a region of special interest in the context of trauma. A sound understanding of the different injury patterns, morphology, mechanisms, neurological deficit and patient-specific factors is essential in individualizing management strategies. In this article we review the anatomy, clinical patterns of injury, and the options in their clinical management.