The Role of Soft Tissue Restraints Following Type II Odontoid Fractures in the Elderly – A Biomechanical Study

Fractures of the odontoid process are the most common cervical spine injuries in the elderly, and of these, type II fractures are the most frequent [1,2]. In this patient population, these fractures commonly occur with low-energy injury mechanisms, including falls from a standing height. With this mechanism, some restraints to displacement, such as those provided by the ligamentous structures, remain intact. The stabilizing role of these soft tissue restraints in this context has not been explored in the literature.