Trauma to the spine can cause severe spinal instability, disabling deformity, weakness in the limbs and bladder / bowel incontinence. While a subset of these cases can be managed with bracing and medical management, surgical stabilization plays a role in unstable situations.

Pre-operative X-ray demonstrating 
Cervical 5-6 (C 5-6)
fracture dislocation causing 
spinal cord compression
Pre-operative X-ray demonstrating Cervical 5-6 (C 5-6) fracture dislocation causing spinal cord compression
Post-operative X-ray 
showing reduction 
of the fracture 
dislocation and 
posterior fixation
Post-operative X-ray showing reduction of the fracture dislocation and posterior fixation
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Pre-operative CT Scan displaying Lumbar first (L-1) burst fracture

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Post-operative X-rays demonstrating stabilization of the fracture with pedicle screw instrumentation and transpedicular bone grafting

Pre-operative CT Scan of a patient with Hangman's fracture subluxation
Pre-operative CT Scan of a patient with Hangman's fracture subluxation
Post-operative X-ray displaying stabilization of the segment by anterior C2-3 fusion with bone-graft & 
anterior cervical plating
Post-operative X-ray displaying stabilization of the segment by anterior C2-3 fusion with bone-graft & anterior cervical plating