Localized cervical facet joint kinematics under physiological and whiplash loading

2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 471-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian D. Stemper ◽  
Narayan Yoganandan ◽  
Thomas A. Gennarelli ◽  
Frank A. Pintar

Object. Although facet joints have been implicated in the whiplash injury mechanism, no investigators have determined the degree to which joint motions in whiplash are nonphysiological. The purpose of this investigation was to quantify the correlation between facet joint and segmental motions under physiological and whiplash loading. Methods. Human cadaveric cervical spine specimens were exercise tested under physiological extension loading, and intact human head-neck complexes were exercise tested under whiplash loading to correlate the localized component motions of the C4–5 facet joint with segmental extension. Facet joint shear and distraction kinematics demonstrated a linear correlation with segmental extension under both loading modes. Facet joints responded differently to whiplash and physiological loading, with significantly increased kinematics for the same-segmental angulation. The limitations of this study include removal of superficial musculature and the limited sample size for physiological testing. Conclusions. The presence of increased facet joint motions indicated that synovial joint soft-tissue components (that is, synovial membrane and capsular ligament) sustain increased distortion that may subject these tissues to a greater likelihood of injury. This finding is supported by clinical investigations in which lower cervical facet joint injury resulted in similar pain patterns due to the most commonly reported whiplash symptoms.

1974 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 372-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun C. Kao ◽  
Stefan S. Winkler ◽  
J. H. Turner

✓The authors report a case in which a true synovial cyst was found attached to a cervical facet joint. The differential diagnosis involving herniated cervical disc as well as other types of extradural cyst is discussed. The anatomically oriented term “juxta-facet cyst” is proposed to include both ganglion and synovial cysts seen in this area.


2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Muffoletto ◽  
Remi Nader ◽  
Richard M. Westmark ◽  
Haring J. W. Nauta ◽  
Kim J. Garges ◽  
...  

✓ Two cases of hematogenous, pyogenic, subaxial cervical facet joint infection are reported, and the literature is reviewed. Infection of the cervical facet joint is a rarely diagnosed condition; only one case has been reported in the literature. Lumbar facet joint infections are also rare but more commonly reported. Approximately one fourth of facet joint infections in the lumbar spine are complicated by epidural abscess formation, which can lead to a neurological deficit. Because of the paucity of reports on cervical facet joint infections, the clinical characteristics of this entity are not well known. Both patients presented with an acute onset of unilateral neck pain that radiated into the ipsilateral shoulder. Frank radicular pain was initially absent. Unilateral upper-extremity motor weakness that was attributed to associated epidural abscess or granulation tissue formation was also demonstrated in both patients. Leukocyte count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were elevated in both cases. Magnetic resonance imaging was necessary to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Staphylococcus aureus was identified as the offending pathogen in both cases. Decompressive surgery and antibiotic therapy were required to cure the condition. One patient recovered completely and the other sustained a permanent motor deficit. Hematogenous cervical facet joint infection is a rare clinical entity that has many characteristics in common with the more-common lumbar homolog. All three reported cases, however, have been complicated by epidural abscess or granulation tissue formation that has led to a neurological deficit. This finding suggests that a facet joint infection in the cervical spine may have a less benign clinical course than that in the lumbar spine.


1994 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 745-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franz Jürgen Prestar ◽  
Peter C. Potthoff

✓ The authors present the case of a 49-year-old man with an isolated malformation of the left cervical facet joint at C5–6, with secondary spondylarthrotic hypertrophy of the joint leading to involvement of the C-6 nerve root. The etiology of this cervical joint malformation is discussed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 74 (9) ◽  
pp. 745-749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catarina C. Lins ◽  
Diego T. Prado ◽  
Andrei F. Joaquim

ABSTRACT Surgical treatment is well accepted for patients with traumatic cervical facet joint dislocations (CFD), but there is uncertainty over which approach is better: anterior, posterior or combined. We performed a systematic literature review to evaluate the indications for anterior and posterior approaches in the management of CFD. Anterior approaches can restore cervical lordosis, and cause less postoperative pain and less wound problems. Posterior approaches are useful for direct reduction of locked facet joints and provide stronger fixation from a biomechanical point of view. Combined approaches can be used in more complex cases. Although both anterior and posterior approaches can be used interchangeably, there are some patients who may benefit from one of them over the other, as discussed in this review. Surgeons who treat cervical spine trauma should be able to perform both procedures as well as combined approaches to adequately manage CFD and improve patients’ final outcomes.


2013 ◽  
Vol 542 ◽  
pp. 102-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan D. Crosby ◽  
Christine L. Weisshaar ◽  
Beth A. Winkelstein

KYAMC Journal ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-40
Author(s):  
Mohammad Moniruzzaman ◽  
Md Shahadat Hossain ◽  
Muhammad Alamgir Mandal ◽  
Md Zakir Hossain ◽  
Md Ahsan Ullah ◽  
...  

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have also been described as causes of facet joint pain. Image-guided injection of local anesthetic and steroid into the facet joint aims to break this vicious cycle and stop the inflammatory reaction involving facet joints in AS.Objectives: Image-guided injection of local anesthetic and steroid into the facet joint aims to break this vicious cycle and stop the inflammatory reaction involving facet joints in AS.Materials & Methods: Obtaining an informed consent, the procedure was performed with strict aseptic precautions and intra-procedural vital parameters were monitored.Results: After 7 days of extensive rehabilitation program, the ROM in all direction was dramatically improved with significant improvement of pain. Regarding VAS, during 1st visit it was 8, after 30 min of injection the score became 6 (25% improvement) and after one week, the score became 2 (75% improvement).Conclusion: Multiple intra-articular cervical facet joint steroid injection is very much effective in acute facet joint synovitis in cervical predominant early AS for starting early rehabilitation program.KYAMC Journal Vol. 9, No.-1, April 2018, Page 39-40


Author(s):  
Sandeep Amin

Cervical facet dysfunction poses a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma in patients with axial neck pain due to either degenerative changes or whiplash injuries as it presents with a paucity of diagnostic radiologic or examination findings. The specific orientation of the cervical facet joints renders them particularly vulnerable to whiplash injury. This chapter examines the clinically relevant anatomy with nuances unique to the cervical spine, etiology of the structural changes, diagnostic tools, and treatment of cervical facet dysfunction. Understanding the relevant anatomy and referral patterns of cervical facet joints allows for more targeted diagnosis and treatment. There are strong evidence-based options in the treatment of cervical facet joint dysfunction.


Author(s):  
Qiu An Wang ◽  
Chong Guo ◽  
Ma Ji Sun ◽  
Feng Yuan

Abstract Objective By observing the 3D anatomy of normal adult cervical facet joints, using the picture archiving and communication system to measure its 3D parameters and discussing its clinical significance, the aim of this study was to provide a reliable morphological basis for the design and manufacture of lower cervical facet joint interface distractors. Methods We selected 200 patients who underwent cervical spine 3D spiral computed tomography (CT) examination in the imaging department of our hospital from September 2019 to May 2020 and whose spiral CT images showed no cervical spinal canal stenosis, cervical disc herniation, obvious bone hyperplasia, or infection. The anterior and posterior diameters of the facet joints on both sides of the cervical spine, the space between the joints, and the left and right diameters were measured on the sagittal, cross-sectional and coronal planes after reconstruction with 3D spiral CT. Results The anterior and posterior diameters of the facet joints of the cervical spine, the space between the joints, and the left and right diameters all increased from top to bottom along the cervical spine. The 3D parameters of the C2-3~C6-7 segments were significantly different between the male and female groups. Conclusion The anteroposterior diameter, joint space interval, and left and right diameter of cervical facet joints are different in each segment and between the sexes. The lower cervical facet joint interface fusion device designed according to the measurement results can fully meet the needs of most patients.


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