Julie Woodfield, Ellie Edlmann, Polly L Black, Julia Boyd, Phillip Correia Copley, Gina Cranswick, Helen Eborall, Catriona Keerie, Sadaquate Khan, Julia Lawton, David J Lowe, John Norrie, Angela Niven, Matthew J Reed, Susan Deborah Shenkin, Patrick Statham, Andrew Stoddart, James Tomlinson, Paul M Brennan
INTRODUCTION: Fractures of the odontoid process frequently result from low impact falls in frail or older adults. These are increasing in incidence and importance as the population ages. In the UK, odontoid fractures in older adults are usually managed in hard collars to immobilise the fracture and promote bony healing. However, bony healing does not always occur in older adults, and bony healing is not associated with quality of life, functional, or pain outcomes. Further, hard collars can cause complications such as skin pressure ulcers, swallowing difficulties and difficulties with personal care...
July 15, 2022: BMJ Open