Unstable spine injury occurs in

Mode of injuries in Lower Cervical Spine Fractures (C3 - C7)Mode of injuriesPattern of fractureVeical (Axial) compression Burst fracture (Veebral height is decreased in toto)Pure flexion Wedge compression fracture (Decreased anterior height of veebrae)Combined axial compression & flexion Teardrop fracture (Antero inferior fragment of the veebral body is sheared off)Distraction - Flexion /Flexion rotation (MC unstable spine injury)Unilateral or bilateral subluxation & dislocation Flexion sprains Jumped facetsFloating veebra Avulsion injury of spinous process Clay shoveler's fracture Axial compression extension type Second most common type Distraction extension injury Disruption of anterior ligamentous complex followed by posterior soft tissue complex (Refer: Rockwood and Green's Fractures in Adults, 7th edition,pg no: 1498,1413,1435,1485)