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Traumatic Jumped Cervical Facets in Adult Patients: A Case Series
Danielle E Chipman1, Thomas J Ryan1, Christopher Lucasti2
1Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
Clinical Spine Surgery
|June 19, 2025
Summary
Jumped facets are rare cervical spine injuries. Prompt reduction and stabilization are recommended for middle-aged men, often injured in motor vehicle crashes, to maximize functional recovery.
Area of Science:
- Trauma surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic surgery
Background:
- Jumped facets are uncommon, severe traumatic cervical spine injuries causing instability.
- These injuries can be unilateral or bilateral and are frequently associated with significant spinal cord damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the demographics, symptoms, and treatment of adult trauma patients with jumped facets.
- To analyze the characteristics and outcomes of this rare injury pattern.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series of adult patients with cervical spine injuries.
- Inclusion criteria: patients over 18 with jumped facets diagnosed via CT scan.
- Data collected included demographics, injury characteristics, ASIA scores, treatment, and hospital course.
Main Results:
- 11 patients met inclusion criteria; average age 50.6 years, 72.7% male.
- Motor vehicle crashes caused 81.8% of injuries, primarily affecting C4-C7 levels.
- 54.5% had motor/sensory deficits; 18.2% had ASIA score A. All underwent surgery.
Conclusions:
- Middle-aged men injured in MVCs are most commonly affected by jumped facets.
- Urgent reduction and stabilization are crucial for all patients, regardless of initial spinal cord injury severity.
- Prompt surgical intervention is recommended to optimize functional recovery.
