TSR Time

Facet joints occur in pairs at the back of each vertebra in the spine. The facet joints link the vertebrae to form a working entity that permits rotation and flexion of the spine. The facet joint bone surfaces are covered with articular cartilage, allowing the bones to glide over each other with minimal friction.

Facet joint injuries most frequently occur in the cervical (neck) or lumbar (lower back) regions of the spine. It is the most common cause of neck pain following a car accident. A cervical facet joint injury can also cause headaches, shoulder pain, sleep apnea, and dizziness. Facet joint injury in the lumbar region may cause referred pain to the buttocks and thigh.

When a facet joint is injured it can result in neurological damage. If the facet joint is dislocated, the injury can be accompanied by soft tissue injury — tearing of a ligament, compression of the nerves, and swelling and bruising with disruption of blood supply.

Facet joint injury diagnosis is tricky because it does not show up on an x-ray or MRI. In about half of the cases, there is a significant delay in a diagnosis. That is a major reason to refrain from signing any insurance forms until you have recovered from your accident and you are sure you do not have any lingering medical issues.

Some facet joint injuries are age-related, but most of them are a result of trauma from:

• Car Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Slip and Fall Injuries

Facet joint injuries can be treated conservatively with physical therapy, a back brace, traction, or injections. If those options do not alleviate your pain, you may require a radiofrequency neurotomy. Radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) is not a cure for your injury. It is a treatment that kills the nerve endings, interrupting the pain signals to the brain. It is effective for only 11-16 months because when the nerves regenerate, the pain returns. That means you will probably require RFN multiple times during your lifetime.

It is vital to have expert legal representation because insurance companies will offer a lower value than what you should receive for a facet joint injury. If you have questions about your accident and resultant facet joint injury, please call TSR Injury Law at 612-362-0000. Our attorneys will answer your questions and help you maneuver the legal system.

Tags: Facet Joint Injury, Minnesota Bicycle Accident, Minnesota Car Accident Lawyer, Minnesota Motorcycle Accident, Minnesota Slip and Fall Accident, Minnesota Truck Accident Attorney, Neck Injury, Spinal Injury