Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Potential of TUBE Technique in Spinal Surgery
Published on: November 17, 2023
Unusual pain due to unilateral facet degeneration at the C1-2 level
Nelly Stemmler1, Ihsan Solaroglu, Ahmet Levent Aydin
1Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelm University, Medical Faculty, Germany.
Aim:
Neck pain is a common problem that may result from abnormalities in the soft tissues, bones and joints of the spine. However, upper neck and occipital pain syndrome due to unilateral idiopathic arthrosis of a C1-2 lateral articulation is a very rare condition.
Material And Methods:
We describe two patients with unilateral arthrosis of a C1-2 lateral articulation who were successfully treated with C1-2 fusion.
Results:
The patients presented with severe headache and/or neck pain. The diagnosis was made with a careful history and imaging studies, including X-ray films, CT scans, and MRI studies. Posterior atlanto-axial transfacet screw fixation was performed in both patients. There were no surgical complications.
Conclusion:
C1-2 fusion is necessary to relieve intractable pain after failure of conservative treatment and/or invasive pain procedures in unilateral C1-2 arthrosis.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction
Articulations of the Vertebral Column
Functional Classification of Joints
The functional classification of joints is determined by the amount of mobility between the adjacent bones. Joints are functionally classified as a synarthrosis or immobile joint, an amphiarthrosis or slightly moveable joint, or as a diarthrosis, a freely moveable joint. Fibrous and cartilaginous joints can be functionally classified as either synarthroses or amphiarthroses, whereas all synovial joints are classified as diarthroses.
Synarthrosis
An...
General Structure of a Vertebra
Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction

