Bilateral locked facets

Occurs with disruption of ligaments of apophyseal joints, ligamentum flavum, longitudinal and interspinous ligaments, and the anulus. Rare. Most common at C5–6 or C6–7. 65–87% have complete quadriplegia, 13–25% incomplete, ≤ 10% are intact. Adjacent fractures (VB, facet, lamina, pedicle…) occur in 40–60%.5,22 Nerve root deficits may also occur.