Isolated Facet Joint Fracture as a Cause of Chronic Low Back Pain and Sciatica

A case of facet joint fracture following a rear-end motor vehicle accident who presented with chronic low back pain and sciatica is outlined. Diagnosis was made with 99Tc nuclear bone scan and was confirmed on computed tomographic scan after diagnosis with regular radiographs had failed. Facetectomy...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Robert W Teasell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 1996-01-01
Series:Pain Research and Management
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/1996/619875
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Summary:A case of facet joint fracture following a rear-end motor vehicle accident who presented with chronic low back pain and sciatica is outlined. Diagnosis was made with 99Tc nuclear bone scan and was confirmed on computed tomographic scan after diagnosis with regular radiographs had failed. Facetectomy relieved pain but led to symptoms related to asymmetric load on the opposite facet joint. Symptoms were substantially relieved with a facet joint deinnervation procedure. Facet joint fracture was felt to occur as a consequence of compression forces on the facet joint at the time of impact.
ISSN:1203-6765