Reddy Sangala Jaypal, Al-Holou Wajd N, Leveque Jean-Christophe, La Marca Frank, Park Paul
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5338, USA.
J Neurosurg Spine. 2008 Dec;9(6):576-80. doi: 10.3171/SPI.2008.6.08301.
Primary traumatic facet dislocations are unusual in the lumbar spine. Most occurrences have been reported at the lumbosacral junction associated with anterior subluxation. The authors describe 2 cases in which a high impact trauma resulted in lateral subluxation with a unilateral locked facet involving the lumbar spine. In their review of the literature, the authors found no previously reported cases of this type of injury. Both cases described in this report involved significant spinal stenosis, neurological injury, and spinal instability. A posterior surgical approach, with at least partial resection of the locked facet joint in conjunction with pedicle screw fixation, allowed successful reduction and stabilization of the injury.
