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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

A Contusive Model of Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Using the Infinite Horizon Impactor

A Contusive Model of Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Using the Infinite Horizon Impactor

Published on: July 24, 2012

Upper cervical spine injuries in elderly patients.

M Sami Walid¹, Nadezhda V Zaytseva

¹Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon, USA. mswalid@yahoo.com

Australian Family Physician

|March 14, 2009

Summary

Elderly individuals can suffer upper cervical spine injuries, often without obvious symptoms or fractures. Prompt multiplanar imaging is crucial for diagnosing these injuries, especially with persistent head and neck pain after trauma.

Area of Science:

Geriatric Medicine
Orthopedic Surgery
Radiology

Background:

Elderly patients are susceptible to upper cervical spine injuries.
These injuries may present without neurological deficits or clear fracture evidence on initial imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the prevalence and clinical presentations of upper cervical spine injuries in the elderly.
To evaluate the role of imaging in diagnosing these injuries.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on upper cervical spine injuries in geriatric populations.
Analysis of diagnostic imaging modalities for cervical spine trauma.

Main Results:

Upper cervical spine injuries in the elderly are frequently linked to hyperextension.

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Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

A Contusive Model of Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Using the Infinite Horizon Impactor

A Contusive Model of Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Using the Infinite Horizon Impactor

Published on: July 24, 2012

Degenerative changes in the senescent spine contribute to injury susceptibility.

Conclusions:

Persistent head and neck symptoms post-trauma in the elderly warrant thorough evaluation.
Multiplanar imaging of the cervical spine is essential for definitive diagnosis, even after minor incidents.