Table 1.

Types of Jefferson burst fractures

Classification of fracture	Mechanism of injury	Diagnostic findings
Type I	Axial load and flexion or extension	Isolated fracture of the anterior or posterior arch
Type II	Axial load	Bilateral fractures of anterior and posterior arch
Type III	Axial load and rotation	Lateral mass fracture
Atlanto-occipital dislocation (AOD)	Distraction and hyperextension or hyperflexion of atlanto-occipital joint	Severe disruption of ligaments between base of skull and atlas