Ladder Becomes Stairway to Urgent Care

Answer
The radiograph shows a compression deformity of the C6 vertebral body. In addition, there is a displaced fracture fragment along the anterior superior endplate. Alignment is adequate, with no evidence of subluxation. The disc space of C6-7 also appears slightly distracted, suggesting possible acute injury.

Given the clinical and radiographic presentation, this patient warranted further workup. He was admitted for CT and MRI of the cervical spine, which demonstrated disc herniation at both the C5-6 and C6-7 levels, as well as interspinous ligament injury.

The patient subsequently underwent a two-level anterior cervical disc­ectomy and fusion. His symptoms resolved, and he was discharged home the next day.