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Abstract Cervical spine is classified as upper cervical spine C1 and C2, and Lower cervical spine C3 to C7. (Nightgale et al., 2002) The yearly incidence of the spinal cord trauma ranges from 28 to 50 patients per million people. There are approximately 10000 new cases occurring each year . An increase in prevalence during the past decade has been attributed mainly to enhanced longevity of spinal injuried patients. Increased survivorship as well as improvement in the neurological outcome have been attributed to enhanced medical, surgical and pre-hospital care. (Wilkins , 2005) The most important factor associated with the genesis of significant cervical injury is the concomitant occurrence of a serious head or trunk injury . (Eismont et al., 2004) Optimal treatment of patient with cervical injury relies on an accurate radiological assessment of the traumatic lesions with respect to existing abnormalities and the underlying mechanism of injury. ( Bach et al .,2001 ) Cervical spine injuries are frequently associated with compressive damage to neural tissue and consequently poor clinical outcomes. Neurological injury typically occurs from disc, ligamentous or bony occlusion of the spinal canal and intervertebral foraminal spaces dynamically during an injury event or with abnormal alignment and position after the injury event . (Nuckley et al., 2002) Cervical traction creates a longitudinal pull along the cervical spine which reduces deformity, restores normal anatomic alignment and provides stabilization. There are essentially three methods of applying cervical traction; the head halter ,cranial tongs and the hallo ring . (Wilkins, 2005) In contrast to the thoraco-lumbar spine, the cervical spine beers a lower biomechanical load and therefore, anterior stabilization of a fracture is a definitive procedure of a majority of cases. What remains the matter of choice is screw fixation of the body of the vertebra involved. (Stulik et al., 2003) |