[Treatment of atlantoaxial instability with C1-C2 posterior transarticular screw fixation].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the technique of C1-C2 transarticular screw fixation for atlantoaxial instability or dislocation.


METHODS
Among 14 patients with atlantoaxial instability, 10 were male and 4 patients were female, with an average age of 38.6 years ranging from 17 to 62 years. All patients were treated by internal fixation with transarticular screws.


RESULTS
There were 28 screws applied in 14 patients. All patients were followed up. The average follow-up period was 16 months (range, 9 to 35 months). The postoperative JOA score was ranging from 13.8 to 15.8 with the average score of (14.50 +/- 0.66) and the improved rate of (76.12 +/- 4.94)%. No spinal injury and vertical artery injury was found and osseous fusion was completed in all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The technique of C1-C2 transarticular screw fixation is one of the best treatments for atlantoaxial instability. Without the help of structural bone graft and aided internal fixation, morselized cancellous bone graft can acquire effective osseous fusion.
Ruan
Jian-Wei
JW
Department of Orthopaedics, Taizhou Municipal Hospital, Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang, China.
Fan
Shun-Wu
SW
Fang
Xiang-Qian
XQ
Wang
Hai-Bao
HB
Qiao
Li-ya
LY
Chen
Tao
T
Zhao
Xiao-Ping
XP
Han
Jian-Hua
JH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult