Symptoms of Displacing a Previously Stable, Non-Displaced C6 Fracture
If you displace a previously stable, non-displaced C6 fracture, you would most likely experience sudden severe neck pain, potential new-onset neurological symptoms including arm weakness, numbness or tingling in your hands, difficulty walking, and possibly signs of spinal cord compression such as weakness in all four limbs. 1
Immediate Warning Signs
The most critical concern with displacement of a stable C6 fracture is secondary neurological injury, which occurs at dramatically higher rates when cervical injuries are missed or become unstable:
- Sudden onset of severe neck pain at the fracture site, often described as sharp and localized 2
- New or worsening arm weakness, particularly affecting shoulder abduction, elbow flexion, and wrist extension (C6 nerve root distribution) 1
- Numbness and tingling in the thumb and index finger (C6 dermatome) 2
- Difficulty with hand grip or fine motor control 1
Spinal Cord Injury Manifestations
If the displaced fracture causes spinal cord compression or injury, you would experience more severe symptoms:
- Weakness in both arms and legs (quadriparesis or quadriplegia) 3
- Hyperreflexia and spasticity below the level of injury 1
- Sensory loss affecting multiple dermatomes below C6 1
- Gait disturbances and difficulty walking (ataxia) 1
- Loss of bowel and bladder control in severe cases 3
Critical Timing and Risk
The evidence demonstrates that delayed diagnosis or displacement produces 10 times higher rates of secondary neurological injury (10.5% vs. 1.4%), and 67% of patients with missed cervical fractures suffer neurological deterioration 1. This underscores the severity of allowing a stable fracture to become displaced.
Why Displacement Is Dangerous
A C6 fracture that displaces can:
- Compress the spinal cord directly, causing immediate myelopathy 3
- Injure the vertebral artery, potentially causing additional neurological complications 2
- Damage nerve roots at the C6 level, causing radiculopathy 2
- Create instability requiring urgent surgical intervention 3
What You Should Do
If you experience any new neck pain, neurological symptoms, or worsening of existing symptoms after a known C6 fracture:
- Immobilize your neck immediately and avoid all movement 4
- Seek emergency medical care without delay 1
- Expect urgent CT and MRI imaging to assess for displacement and cord compression 4
- Understand that surgical stabilization may be required emergently if displacement is confirmed 3
Common Pitfall
Do not assume that because your fracture was initially stable, it will remain stable 4. Even minor trauma or movement can convert a stable fracture to an unstable one, and the consequences of displacement include permanent neurological deficits in 29.4% of cases with delayed diagnosis 1.