Skip to Main Content

113: CERVICAL FACET JOINT SYNDROME

Arie J. Van Duijn, EdD, MSc, PT, OCS; Eric Shamus, PhD, DPT, PT, CSCS

CONDITION/DISORDER SYNONYMS

  • Facet joint syndrome, cervical spine

  • Sprain of facet joint

  • Arthritic changes in facet joint

ICD-9-CM CODE

  • 847.0 Cervical sprain

ICD-10-CM CODE

  • S13.8XXA Sprain of joints and ligaments of other parts of neck

PREFERRED PRACTICE PATTERN

  • 4F: Impaired Joint Mobility, Motor Function, Muscle Performance, Range of Motion, and Reflex Integrity Associated With Spinal Disorders1

PATIENT PRESENTATION

A 45-year-old male presents with pain and stiffness in the left cervical region. He reports waking up with this condition 3 days ago. The pain is located along the left C3-4 and C4-5 spinal segments, and is aggravated by looking over the left shoulder and looking up. Increased muscle tone is present in the left levator scapula and upper trapezius muscles. No pain, numbness, or tingling in the upper extremities is noted, and neurological examination is normal. Passive intervertebral motion (PIVM) testing reveals restriction in downglide mobility of the left C3-4 facet joint. Quadrant testing is positive when combining extension, left side bending, and left rotation. Point tenderness is noted upon palpation of the left C3-4 facet joint.

FIGURE 113-1

Anatomy and motions of the cervical spine. (A) The skeleton of the cervical spine. (B) Motions of the cervical spine: normal range of motion exceeds the angles, which are shown as points of reference. (From LeBlond RF, DeGowin RL, Brown DD. DeGowin’s Diagnostic Examination. 9th ed. www.accessmedicine.com. Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.)

image
View Full Size||Download Slide (.ppt)
FIGURE 113-2

Flexion and extension of the cervical spine. Normal flexion brings the chin to within a fingerbreadth of the chest (A). With normal extension of the neck, an imaginary line should connect the eye, ear lobe, and shoulder (B). (From Imboden J, Hellmann DB, Stone JH. Current Rheumatology Diagnosis & Treatment. 2nd ed. www.accessmedicine.com. Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.)

image
View Full Size||Download Slide (.ppt)

KEY FEATURES

Description

  • Neck pain with primary involvement of cervical facet joint

  • Upper limb symptoms might be present in a nondermatomal pattern as a result of referred pain

  • No neurological findings

  • Unilateral symptoms

FIGURE 113-3

The intervertebral disk, articulations, ligaments, and neurologic structures. (Reproduced with permission from Morton, DA, Foreman KB, Albertine KH. The Big Picture: Gross Anatomy, McGraw-Hill; 2011.)

image
View Full Size||Download Slide (.ppt)

Essentials of Diagnosis

  • Diagnosis made by clinical examination

  • Reproduction of symptoms when joint in closed-packed position (combination of extension, side bending, and rotation toward involved side)

General Considerations

...

Pop-up div Successfully Displayed

This div only appears when the trigger link is hovered over. Otherwise it is hidden from view.

This site uses cookies to provide, maintain and improve your experience. MH Privacy Center Close