teardrop fracture

teardrop fracture

[tir′drop]

Etymology: AS, tear + dropa + L, fractura, break

an avulsion fracture of one of the short bones, such as a vertebra, causing a tear-shaped disruption of bone tissue.

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teardrop fracture

Orthopedics A lower cervical spine fracture-dislocation compression fracture of the anteroinferior corner of a cervical vertebra, caused by flexion with axial loading or hyperflexive compressive forces which may cause posterior subluxation of the vertebrae or burst the vertebral body, separating and displacing a wedge-shaped fragment of bone from the antero-inferior margin; such fractures are not usually associated with permanent neurologic sequelae Imaging Lateral cervical film–wedging of vertebral body and an anterior-inferior fragment fractured from vertebral body; involved vertebrae are usually subluxed posteriorly; most Pts are rendered quadriplegic Management Surgical fusion to stabilize the injury and prevent kyphosis, pain, and further neurologic deterioration Potential danger Posterior displacement into spinal canal with cord compression. Cf Axial-load teardrop fracture, Wedge fracture.