Odontoid fractures are the most common fractures of the second cervical vertebra (C2) and the most common type of cervical vertebra fracture in people over the age of 65 While it is usually seen after high-energy trauma in young people, it is often seen in older ages after simple traumas such as falling from one`s own high.

According to the classification first made by Anderson and D`alonzo and still used today, it is divided into three types: type I, II and III. Type I are fractures occurring at the tip of the odontontoid process.Type II are fractures at the junction of the odontoid neck-C2 body.Type III; It is the type of fracture in which the C2 body is included in the fracture line. Subsequently, Grauer divided Type II fractures into Type IIa and Type IIb to facilitate the selection of surgical treatment.

Treatment is evaluated under two main headings as surgical and conservative. Although the general approach is to treat Type I and uncomplicated Type III fractures with conservative methods and Type II fractures surgically, the treatment of Type II fractures is still controversial due to studies showing that there is no difference between conservative treatment methods.

Conservative treatment methods are performed using external fixation cranio-cervico-thoracic stabilizers such as Halo vest and Minerva jacket or rigid cervical collars such as Philadelphia, Miami and Aspen.

Surgical treatment options can be performed by anterior odontoid screw or posterior atlantoaxial stabilization with many different techniques depending on the patient and the fracture shape.

In conclusion, odontoid fractures are a disease that should be treated considering both the classification methods and the general health status, age and comorbidities of the patient. Nowadays, with the prolongation of life expectancy, odontoid fractures are encountered with increasing frequency in the elderly population. Choosing the right technique is very important for treatment success.