The Klippel-Feil syndrome: implications for Naval service

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Naval Medicine

Background:

• Klippel-Feil anomaly involves congenital fusion of cervical vertebrae, often asymptomatic.
• It affects nearly 1% of the general population, with similar incidence expected in the Navy.

Observation:

• The anomaly is typically discovered incidentally via cervical spine X-rays.
• Individuals with Klippel-Feil syndrome exhibit heightened susceptibility to spinal cord injury.

Findings:

• Naval service activities can impose significant stress on the head and neck.
• This stress poses a considerable risk of severe or fatal injury for affected individuals.

Implications:

• An evaluation algorithm for suspected Klippel-Feil syndrome is presented.
• This tool aids in identifying at-risk naval personnel for proactive management.
• Early diagnosis and risk assessment are vital for preventing debilitating injuries in this population.