Management of cervical spine trauma: can a prognostic classification of injury determine clinical outcomes?

Although the management of cervical spine trauma is relatively complex, multiple classification systems have attempted to simplify it through the use of descriptive terms. Most historical classification systems failed to yield sufficient prognostic information to guide clinical treatment until the Subaxial Injury Classification system was developed. This classification system takes into account the injury morphology, discoligamentous complex, and the most important prognostic factor, neurologic status. The early results of this classification system have been encouraging and it is expected to improve spinal trauma care through enhancing more uniform nomenclature and communication for surgeons managing spinal trauma.