A small malalignment of the C1-2 joint generally is not critical to indicate damage. If the joint itself appears normal on MRI (no significant changes on STIR images) and there is no translation of the atlanto-dens interval on flexion/extension X-rays (normal is less than 3mm), the transverse ligament is intact.
Your collision when young probably caused a traumatic brain injury (“knocked out for almost one and half hour”). You have no indication of a nerve injury even though you had some arm weakness which was probably a temporary stretch injury (called a stinger or burner).
Motion X-rays are important for understanding stability.
Dr. Corenman
PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
