After the immediate trauma, there is a risk of spinal cord injury (or worsening of an already injured spine) if the fracture is unstable, that is, likely to change alignment without internal or external fixation.

[5] The indication to surgically stabilize a cervical fracture can be estimated from the Subaxial Injury Classification (SLIC).

[10] ATLICS is broadly based on the TLICS system and has sufficient reliability irrespective of the experience of the observer.

Osteoporosis may occur after treatment with antiepileptic drugs, proton pump inhibitors, antidepressants, corticosteroids or chemotherapy.

Osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures might occur even after minor trauma or while twisting, bending or coughing.