Spine Case 2 History/Physical Exam

Mechanism:

• Flexion-distraction
• Additional rotational component postulated for unilateral dislocations

History:

• MVCs
• Falls from significant height
• In elderly patients, possibly only relatively minor trauma.

Unilateral facet dislocation presentation:

• Head often held deviated away from the side of the injury
• Pain with inability to straighten the head
• Ipsilateral radiculopathy
• Possibly palpable malalignment of spinous processes

Bilateral facet dislocation presentation:

• Neck pain often with frank neurologic deficit
• Possibly palpable bony stepoff