[Management of old cervical spine injuries]

Fifty-two cases of inveterate cervical spine injury have been presented. Nearly all the injury types are represented. Neurological complications were present in sixty-nine percent of the cases. Specific surgical treatment aimed at restoration of anatomical relations within the spine, decompressing neural elements and stabilization of the injured segment. Good results have been achieved with neurological improvement, especially in the group of patients with paresis or root symptoms. Several paraplegic patients also benefited from the treatment. The authors conclude, that management employed offers a great chance for improvement to these patients.