Lu Y, et al. - In this study, researchers assessed the atlantoaxial stability and stiffness of a C1 lateral mass – C2 short pedicle – C3 lateral mass screw-rod construct in comparison to C1 lateral mass – C2 pedicle screw-rod construct. They observed significantly lower C1-C2 angular range of motion (ROM) and greater stiffness as compared to the intact state. C1 lateral mass - C2 short pedicle - C3 lateral mass screw fixation (C2SPED-C3LM) demonstrated significantly lower C1-C2 ROM during flexion/extension (FE) and lateral bending (LB), significantly greater C1-C2 stiffness in flexion and right/left LB, comparable C1-C2 ROM, and stiffness in right/left axial rotation (RAR/LAR), and similar stiffness in extension as compared with C2 pedicle screw fixation (C2PED). They observed significantly greater atlantoaxial stabilization in the sagittal and coronal planes as compared to C2PED construct. Hence, they concluded C2SPED-C3LM, a suitable alternative surgical strategy for atlantoaxial instability providing a superior atlantoaxial fixation vs C2PED.