Table 1.

Previous classification systems involving either the subaxial cervical spine, or morphologic characteristics of thoracolumbar injuries that are also used to describe similar morphologic injury characteristics of the subaxial cervical spine

Author	Notable contributions	Disadvantages
Bohler [6]	Vertebra versus neural arch injuries	Primarily thoracolumbar
Watson-Jones [45]	Wedge, comminuted, fracture dislocation identified. Importance of posterior longitudinal ligament
Nicoll et al. [30]	Different wedge fracture types
Kelly and Whitesides [25]	Two-column concept (anterior and posterior column)
Holdsworth [17]	First classification based on injury mechanism; importance of posterior ligamentous complex
Denis [9]	Three-column theory (middle column)
Whitley and Forsyth [49]	Promoted mechanism-based classification for subaxial cervical trauma	Retrospective interpretation of an injury mechanism based on observed morphology
White and Punjabi [47, 48]	Defined spinal stability in the cervical spine based on biomechanical study	Iatrogenic injuries to cadaveric specimens, not real patient injuries.
Jacobs [18]	Promoted mechanism-based classification	Not comprehensive
Babcock [5]
Allen et al. [3]	Mechanism based classification, comprehensive categories	Challenging for beginners; retrospective interpretation of an injury mechanism based on observed morphology
Harris [15]	Similar to Allen-Ferguson, but included rotational vectors and categories based on causative force vectors	Lack of gradation for compression injuries; challenging for beginners
Aebi and Nazarian [2]	Upper and lower cervical spine in same system; bony or ligamentous involvement or both	Lack of clinical relevance
Argenson et al. [4]	Rotational injuries; high interobserver reliability	Oversimplification of some flexion-distraction and extension-distraction types