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Title: Odontoid Fracture

Category: Orthopedics

Keywords: Odontoid, fracture (PubMed Search)

Posted: 6/26/2010 by Michael Bond, MD (Updated: 7/21/2026)

Odontoid Fractures:

There are three types of C2 odontoid fractures:

  1. Type I is an oblique fracture through the upper part of the odontoid process. This fracture is normailly stable and can be treated with a hard cervical collar.
  2. Type II is a fracture occurring at the base of the odontoid as it attaches to the body of C2.  These fractures can be treated surgically, or conservatively with hard collar or a halo brace
  3. Type III fractures occurs when the fracture line extends through the body of the axis. These fractures are normally treated surgically with or without a halo brace.

Odontoid Fractures

References

Boyarsky I, Godorov G. C2 Fractures. eMedicine. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1267150-overview
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