ABSTRACT
I INTRODUCTION Cervical spine elements can fail by various methods, with the resulting injuries being described in multiple manners (1-4). Most injuries occur as a result of a combination of two or more mechanical forces overpowering the stability of the spinal elements, leading to failure. Allen et al. published a mechanistic classification to cervical spine injury that allows determination of the injury by the vectorial forces involved (1). This chapter discusses the distraction extension mode of failure.
