[A case of unilateral dislocation of C3 right facet joint treated with lateral mass plating]

Facet joint dislocations of the cervical spine are distractive-flexion injuries that account for 6 to 10 % of traumatic lesions of the subaxial cervical spine. Distractive-flexion injuries of the cervical spine were classified into four stages by Allen and Fergusson. These unstable lesions predominate at the fifth and sixth levels and all aspects of their management are subject to controversy, including their classification. Attempting reduction before surgery, performing MRI before or after closed reduction, choosing between surgery and external contention, the anterior versus the posterior approach are still matters of controversy between experts. The authors report a stage 2 distractive-flexion injury of the right facet joint of the third cervical vertebra treated by lateral mass plating as described by Roy-Camille (1995).