What percentage of the Down syndrome population has atlantoaxial instability?
Do all people with Down syndrome have atlantoaxial instability?
Atlanto-axial instability (AAI) is a developmental anomaly often occurring in people with Down’s syndrome (DS). According to various reports, AAI affects from 6.8 to 27% of the population with DS.
What is atlantoaxial instability in Down syndrome?
Atlanto-axial instability (AAI) is a condition that affects the bones in the upper spine or neck under the base of the skull. The joint between the upper spine and base of the skull is called the atlanto-axial joint. In people with Down syndrome, the ligaments (connections between muscles) are “lax” or floppy.
Does Down syndrome affect the neck?
Some people with Down syndrome have neck instability (or craniovertebral instability) and it is a subject that sometimes causes worry for parents and professionals alike. The joints at the top of the spine and at the base of the skull allow us to shake and nod our heads.
What causes C1 C2 instability?
Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) is characterized by excessive movement at the junction between the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) as a result of either a bony or a ligamentous abnormality. Neurologic symptoms can occur when the spinal cord or adjacent nerve roots are involved.
Who is at risk for atlantoaxial instability?
Children with Down syndrome are at increased risk of developing compression of the spinal cord called atlantoaxial instability. This problem is caused by a combination of low tone, loose ligaments and bony changes. The spinal cord can be pressed by the bones and cause nerve damage.
How serious is atlantoaxial instability?
Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) does not usually produce clinical symptoms. In symptomatic individuals, treatment in the acute phase may reverse the symptoms. In long-standing cases, the surgical procedure is not associated with clinical improvement. Several studies have shown that serious complications are rare.
Can you play sports with atlantoaxial instability?
Persons with atlantoaxial subluxation or dislocation and neurologic signs should be restricted from “all strenuous activities.” Persons with DS who have no evidence of AAI may participate in all sports.
What does atlantoaxial instability feel like?
These include neck pain, headaches, dizziness, vertigo, fatigue, numbness and tingling of the face and tongue, tinnitus, nausea/vomiting, balance difficulties, drop attacks, difficulty swallowing, and migraines. Craniocervical instability or Atlantoaxial instability can be caused by many factors.
What can cause atlantoaxial instability?
Trauma as the sole cause of atlantoaxial instability is a unique entity, usually resulting from a disruption of the transverse, alar, or apical ligaments. This type of injury is commonly associated with head trauma. Fractures of C1 or C2 also are traumatic causes of atlantoaxial instability.
Can you be fully functional with Down syndrome?
Although many children with Down syndrome have physical and mental limitations, they can live independent and productive lives well into adulthood. About one half of children with Down syndrome are born with heart problems, including atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, and endocardial cushion defects.
Which skeletal abnormalities are typical for Down syndrome?
The most common musculoskeletal effects of Down syndrome include weak muscle tone (hypotonia) and ligaments that are too loose (ligament laxity). This leads to excessive joint flexibility.
What does atlantoaxial instability feel like?
These include neck pain, headaches, dizziness, vertigo, fatigue, numbness and tingling of the face and tongue, tinnitus, nausea/vomiting, balance difficulties, drop attacks, difficulty swallowing, and migraines. Craniocervical instability or Atlantoaxial instability can be caused by many factors.
How common is cervical instability?
Cervical instability is somewhat rare, but it is likely underdiagnosed. For example, connective tissue disorders that can trigger cervical instability affect at least 1 in 5,000 people worldwide. If you are experiencing any symptoms of cervical instability, contact your doctor or chiropractor right away.
Can you fly with cervical instability?
Patients with cervical spine instability also face health risks when flying. Even in comparatively mild cases, the forces acting on the cervical spine during take-off and landing can lead to new symptoms or aggravate existing problems.
How long does it take to fix cervical instability?
Depending on the degree of your cervical instability and if you had surgery prior to this, you may or may not need to wear a brace or cervical collar. According to a two-year follow-up research study, surgery improves patient outcomes after one year.