Management of unilateral facet fractures with and without subluxation/dislocation

Nearly one-third of patients with subaxial cervical spine trauma sustain a facet/lateral mass fracture. The morphology of these injuries is a fracture line running through the lateral mass with various degrees of displacement. The patients complain of neck pain, or they present with neurological deficit referable to nerve or spinal cord injury. MRI indicates various degrees of damage to the disco-ligamentous complex (DLC) or spinal cord. Although management of isolated non-displaced unilateral facet fractures remains controversial, low level evidence recommends surgical fixation for unilateral facet fractures with subluxation or dislocation to maintain alignment, prevent neurologic injury promote functional recovery.