What causes atlantoaxial instability symptoms?
Trauma as the sole cause of atlantoaxial instability is a unique entity and usually the result of a disruption of the transverse, alar, or apical ligaments. This type of injury is commonly associated with head trauma. Fractures of C1 or C2 also are traumatic causes of atlantoaxial instability.
How do you assess for atlanto axial instability?
The patient is asked to slowly flex the head performing a slight cervical nod, at the same time the examiner presses posteriorly on the patient’s forehead. A sliding motion of the head in relation to the axis indicates atlantoaxial instability.
How do you rule out atlantoaxial instability?
If your child has symptoms of AAI, the doctor will suggest an X-ray. If the X-ray results are abnormal (different than usual), the doctor will order another imaging test, like a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test.
How do you know if you have cervical instability?
Recognize the symptoms of cervical instability Difficulty holding up your head for a long period of time. Feeling of heaviness in the head. Pain in the upper neck near the base of the skull. Pain referred to the shoulder.
How is AAI diagnosed?
Diagnosis. Most cases of asymptomatic AAI are made through screening X-rays. All children with Down syndrome should be screened for AAI by the age of 3. The diagnosis of symptomatic AAI is usually made either through the neurological exam ( the physical exam that examines how the nerves are working) and/or by X-ray.
What causes AAI?
“AAI denotes increased mobility at the articulation of the first and second cervical vertebrae (atlantoaxial joint). The causes of AAI are not well understood but may include abnormalities of the ligaments that maintain the integrity of the articulation, bony abnormalities of the cervical vertebrae, or both.”
Is atlantoaxial instability painful?
Fracture . Instability of the upper cervical spine is one example of a serious underlying medical condition that can cause neck pain.
How do you treat AAI?
Unless symptoms of spinal cord compression occur, AAI requires no treatment. Once symptoms arise, cervical spine stabilization is indicated until surgical stabilization is performed.
How can I sleep with cervical instability?
How to sleep with cervical radiculopathy
- Sleeping on your back: This is the optimal sleeping position as it is the easiest to properly brace your head and position your neck.
- Sleeping on your side: This position is not as preferred as laying on your back, but it is better than on your stomach.
Can an xray show cervical instability?
These cases demonstrate that dynamic flexion and extension radiographies can be a proper choice of modality to diagnose and exclude the possibility of cervical instability in a patient with a suspicious ligament injury on the static radiographies following acute cervical trauma.
How do I know if I have cervical instability?
What are the signs and symptoms of atlantoaxial instability?
Symptoms of Atlantoaxial Instability. Although the asymptomatic form of atlantoaxial instability has been observed in most cases, the symptomatic form has clearly-defined neurologic manifestations. The signs of symptomatic AAI include: Fatigue; Neck pain; Sensory deficits; Lack of coordination; Hyperreflexia;
Can congenital abnormalities cause atlantoaxial instability?
However, further research based on necropsies, have revealed that congenital abnormalities, such as osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bones disease), Larsen syndrome (bone developmental issues), Down syndrome, or metatropic dysplasia (dwarfism and skeletal abnormalities), could lead to atlantoaxial instability.
What is the AAP position on atlantoaxial instability in children with Down syndrome?
In 1984, the AAP issued its first position statement on Atlantoaxial Instability (AAI) in children with Down syndrome: All children with Down syndrome who wish to participate in sports should have cervical spine X-rays.
What is atlanto-axial imbalance (AAI)?
The joint between the upper spine and base of the skull is called the atlanto-axial joint. In people with Down syndrome, the ligaments (connections between muscles) are “lax” or floppy. This can result in AAI where the bones are less stable and can damage the spinal cord. How Many People with Down Syndrome Have AAI?