What condition is Grisel syndrome associated with?

Grisel syndrome is specifically associated with C1-C2 subluxation due to inflammatory laxity. This condition often arises following infections or inflammatory processes in the head or neck region, which can lead to instability at the atlantoaxial joint (the joint between the first two cervical vertebrae). The inflammation causes laxity of the ligaments that stabilize these vertebrae, making them more likely to subluxate or become misaligned.

In such cases, patients may present with neck stiffness or pain, and there may be neurological deficits if the spinal cord or nearby structures are affected. Identifying the underlying cause, such as an infection or other inflammatory processes, is critical, as addressing the inflammation may resolve the subluxation and restore normal function. Understanding this connection is vital for practitioners when assessing patients with related symptoms or history.

Other options, such as lower back pain, midback tension, or pelvic misalignment, are not directly associated with Grisel syndrome and do not represent the unique cranial-cervical junction involvement characteristic of this condition.