Management of Unilateral Facet Dislocation at the Lumbosacral Junction
Author Information
Author(s): Schirmer Clemens M., Bisson Erica F.
Primary Institution: Baystate Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
Hypothesis
Can a unilateral perched L5–S1 facet dislocation be effectively managed with surgical intervention?
Conclusion
Surgical reduction and fixation of a unilateral lumbosacral facet dislocation can lead to significant improvement in pain and stability.
Supporting Evidence
- The patient reported immediate and sustained improvement in her back and leg pain post-surgery.
- Dynamic X-rays at 6 months showed no significant motion at the operated level.
- The injury can be recognized using subtle clues like transverse process fractures.
Takeaway
If someone has a rare back injury where a bone is out of place, doctors can fix it with surgery, and the person can feel better afterward.
Methodology
The patient underwent reduction with complete facetectomy followed by internal fixation at L5–S1.
Limitations
The study is based on a single case report, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
A 46-year-old woman who sustained injuries from a motor-vehicle accident.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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