The C2 nerves affect sensation at the top and back of the scalp, ear lobes, and front of the neck. They also affect the muscles used for neck flexion (nodding).

The axis is the second cervical vertebra, commonly called C2. It is an atypical cervical vertebra with unique features and important relations that make it easily recognisable. Its most prominent feature is the odontoid process (or dens), which is embryologically the body of the atlas (C1) 1,2.

Dens

Introduction to Axis Bone Anatomy: Inferior to the atlas bone (C1) is the second cervical vertebra (C2), which is also referred to as the axis bone (axis, vertebra cervicalis II). One of the most prominent features of the axis bone is a superior, tooth-like projection called the odontoid process (or dens).

C2 is called the “axis” because it enables the head’s rotation around a longitudinal axis with left and right rotation as when shaking the head “no” (Figure 2, C2 – Axis). To accomplish this feat, the axis has a unique feature among the vertebrae: the dens (or odontoid process).

C1, C2, and C3 (the first three cervical nerves) help control the head and neck, including movements forward, backward, and to the sides. The C2 dermatome handles sensation for the upper part of the head, and the C3 dermatome covers the side of the face and back of the head.

If the spinal cord becomes compressed at the C2 level, it can cause pain, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness in the arms or legs, loss of bowel and/or bladder control, and other problems. Severe cases of spinal cord injury at C2 can be fatal because breathing and other critical body functions may be impaired or stop.

A C1 through C2 vertebrae injury is considered to be the most severe of all spinal cord injuries as it can lead to full paralysis—but is most often fatal. Depending upon their severity, these types of spinal cord injury are either categorized as complete or incomplete.

Odontoid fractures. Treatment for type I C2 (axis) fractures is hard-collar immobilization for 6-8 weeks, which usually is quite successful. Type II fractures can be managed conservatively or surgically.

Conclusion: ACDF leads to significantly improved outcomes for all primary diagnoses and was sustained for >10 years’ follow-up. Secondary surgeries were performed for pseudarthrosis repair and for symptomatic adjacent-level degeneration.

Conventional wisdom holds that starting physical therapy or exercise should wait until about six weeks post-ACDF, when your recovery is well underway. However, the SPINE study suggests it may be more effective to begin a home exercise program (HEP) right away.

If you have suffered from a spinal disorder that has resulted in you undergoing spinal fusion, but you are still unable to work, you may be eligible to qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

Symptoms

• Neck pain that remains at the same level it was at before surgery.
• Neck pain that worsens in the weeks and months after surgery.
• Muscle tightness, cramps and spasms.
• Pain, weakness, numbness and tingling that radiates from the neck to the shoulder, arm, hand and fingers.

Many people worry about nerve damage. While this risk is always a consideration, nerve damage occurring during a spinal fusion surgery is rare and permanent nerve damage is extremely unlikely.

Klippel-Feil syndrome is a bone disorder characterized by the abnormal joining (fusion ) of two or more spinal bones in the neck (cervical vertebrae). The vertebral fusion is present from birth.

Klippel Feil syndrome (KFS) is a condition affecting the development of the bones in the spine. People with KFS are born with abnormal fusion of at least two spinal bones (vertebrae) in the neck. Common features may include a short neck, low hairline at the back of the head, and restricted movement of the upper spine.

Yes…. but probably not for that area. Spinal fusion surgery is an orthopedic or neurosurgical procedure that joins two vertebrae together to create a fusion at a specific spinal level.

As the back continues to heal, patients usually start to feel better and find they can take on more activities. The worst pain is generally over by 4 weeks after surgery. Pain is likely to continue to decrease gradually, but some patients continue to have pain 3 to 6 months after surgery.