Compressive Flexion and Vertical Compression Injuries of the Subaxial Cervical Spine

Cervical spine injury is a common cause of mortality and morbidity in young adults. This manuscript focuses on compressive flexion (CF) and vertical compression (VC) injuries of the cervical spine. CF injuries vary from mild blunting and wedging of the vertebral body to severe teardrop fracture dislocations with retrolisthesis and posterior ligamentous disruption, whereas VC injuries range from simple end plate fractures to severe burst fractures with retropulsion of fragments into the canal. Neurologic injury and instability from the injury will determine the treatment selected. Surgery for severe CF and VC injuries usually requires anterior decompression with vertebral column reconstruction.