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Klippel-Fiel Syndrome: Fusion of Cervical Vertebrae, Sports Medicine

Tracy Zaslow, MD, FAAP, CAQSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

  • A malformation sequence

  • Clinical triad of short neck, low hairline, and fusion of multiple cervical vertebrae resulting in decreased range of motion (ROM)

DESCRIPTION

  • First described independently...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Clinical presentation is variable due to the presence/absence of different associated anomalies.

  • Often Klippel-Feil syndrome is discovered incidentally on physical examination.

  • The complete tr...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • No known treatment for underlying etiology

  • Treatment is symptomatic, which includes modification of activities, bracing, and, for subluxation, traction. Response to traction m...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Annual cervical spine radiographs to evaluate for instability

  • Additional follow-up studies based on individual system involvement

PATIENT EDUCATION

REFERENCES

1
Gunderson CH, Greenspan RH, Glaser GH, et al. The Klippel-Feil syndrome: genetic and clinical reevaluation of cervical fusion. Medicine (Baltimore).  1967;46(6):491–512.
2
Samartzis D, ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Brown MW, Templeton AW, Hodges FJIII. The incidence of acquired and congenital fusions in the cervical spine. Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med.  1964;92:1255–1259.

  • Driscoll ...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • When examining the back, always look at the scapula for Sprengel deformity.

  • If Sprengel deformity is observed, consider cervical spine x-rays to rule out fusion associated with Klippel-...

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