J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2010 Apr;45(2):139-145. 10.4055/jkoa.2010.45.2.139.

Management of Facet Joint Fracture-Dislocation of the Lower Cervical Spine with Reduction Failure

• Song KJ
• Kim KH
• Im JH
• Choi BY

• KMID: 2185582
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2010.45.2.139

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study examined the obstacles preventing a decrease in a facet joint fracture-dislocation of the lower cervical spine after skeletal traction to determine suitable treatment guidelines.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study examined 19 fracture-dislocation cases of the facet joint in the lower cervical spine who failed closed reduction through skeletal traction. The following parameters were analyzed: obstacles preventing reduction, neurological recovery, complications and body to canal ratio of the injured site.
RESULTS
The obstacles found on MRI were herniated discs in 17 cases and joint capsule in 2 cases. The surgical decision was based on an analysis of the size and location of the disc, the degree of spinal canal stenosis and damage of the posterior structures. Anterior reduction/fusion and posterior fusion after anterior reduction/fusion, anterior fusion after posterior reduction/fusion and posterior reduction/fusion was performed in 9, 2, 6 and 2 cases, respectively. There was significant neurological recovery at the final follow-up (p=0.000). The body to canal ratio also increased significantly after surgery (p=0.000).
CONCLUSION
For the treatment of unreducible facet joint fracture-dislocation of the cervical spine, pre-reduction MRI is essential for a thorough evaluation of the various underlying pathologies. In addition the surgical methods should be determined according to not only the neurological status, obstacles and pathologic structures preventing reduction, but also the surgeon's experience.

Keyword

lower cervical spine; distractive-flexion injury; traumatic facet joint fracture-dislocation

MeSH Terms

Constriction, Pathologic
Follow-Up Studies
Intervertebral Disc Displacement
Joint Capsule
Spinal Canal
Spine
Traction
Zygapophyseal Joint

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 (A) Preoperative cervical lateral plain radiogram shows bilateral locked facets on C6-7 and the fracture of the anterosuperior portion of the C7 vertebral body of a 60-year-old man who suffered from complete cord injury due to motorcycle accident. (B) Preoperative sagittal and axial MR images show ruptured disc fragment under the posterior of the vertebral body and posterior longitudinal ligament as a cause of reduction failure. (C) Intraoperative cervical lateral plain radiogram of the patient under a 50lb Gardner-Well skull traction shows the unreduced state of dislocated facets. (D) Postoperative cervical lateral radiogram shows the good reduction by the posterior reduction and fixation/fusion method, after anterior discectomy and fixation/fusion.

• 

  Figure 2 (A) Preoperative cervical lateral plain radiogram shows bilateral locked facets on C5-6 of a 57-year-old man who suffered from incomplete cord injury due to pedestrian traffic accident. (B) Preoperative sagittal and axial MR images show ruptured disc fragment under the uncovertebral joint and posterior longitudinal ligament as a cause of reduction failure. (C) Preoperative cervical lateral plain radiogram of the patient under a 50lb Gardner-Well skull traction shows the unreduced state of dislocated facets. (D) Intraoperative cervical lateral plain radiogram of the patient under a 50lb Gardner-Well skull traction shows the reduced state of dislocated facets. (E) Postoperative cervical lateral radiogram shows the good reduction by the anterior discectomy and fixation/fusion.

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  Figure 3 (A) Preoperative cervical lateral plain radiogram shows unilateral locked facets on C3-4 of a 34-year-old man who suffered from radiculopathy due to driver accident. (B) Preoperative sagittal and axial MR images show no prolapse of disc material on C3-4. (C) Intraoperative cervical lateral plain radiogram of the patient under a 50lb Gardner-Well skull traction shows the reduced state of dislocated facets. (D) Postoperative cervical lateral radiogram shows the good reduction by the posterior reduction and fixation/fusion method.

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