Transverse Process Fracture Management

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Original Date: 07/2025

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Cervical spine:
For cervical spine transverse process fractures, any number of transverse process fractures do not require a Neurosurgery consultation nor bracing unless midline tenderness is present in awake and alert patients.

• Cervical spine transverse process fractures should prompt a Neck CTA.
• If midline tenderness is present, a MRI cervical spine should be obtained and the patient kept in a cervical collar.

Thoracic and lumbar spine:
In the absence of another non-transverse process bony fracture of the spine and any suggestion of ligamentous injury on CT, any number of transverse process fractures do not require a Neurosurgery consultation, additional imaging, nor bracing.