Compressive hyperextension injury of C2-C3 managed with anterior plate fixation: case report.

We report a C2 tear-drop fracture of a 69-year-old patient which occurred after a fall. Although tear drop fractures of the subaxial cervical spine mostly develop due to a flexion type injury, the mechanism is often compressive hyperextension injury at the C2 vertebra. Rigid external stabilization and internal fixation are the treatment alternatives. Internal fixation may be performed using the posterior or anterior approach. This paper describes a C2 tear drop fracture which was treated with an anterior plate fixation.