Upper Cervical Instability
Loose Top Neck Joints
Instability of the atlanto-occipital (C0-1) or atlantoaxial (C1-2) joints. Causes: RA (pannus erodes transverse ligament), Down syndrome (congenital ligament laxity), trauma (Jefferson/odontoid fracture), os odontoideum, Ehlers-Danlos. POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING: the dens is millimetres from the brainstem and spinal cord.
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