Which movements are restricted when a facet is stuck in extension?

Which movements are restricted when a facet is stuck in extension?

• A. Flexion, contralateral rotation, and contralateral side flexion are restricted.
• B. Flexion, ipsilateral rotation, and ipsilateral side flexion are restricted.
• C. Extension, ipsilateral rotation, and side flexion are restricted.
• D. Extension, contralateral rotation, and ipsilateral side flexion are restricted.

Answer: (A)

A facet being stuck in extension places the joint in a closed, jammed position. From there, movements that would require the joint to move back toward neutral or into flexion are hindered because the joint surfaces can’t glide apart as needed. Flexion itself is limited because it would open the extended facet; the locked position prevents that opening. Similarly, rotating toward the opposite side (contralateral rotation) and bending toward the opposite side (contralateral side bending) would demand gliding that the extended facet cannot accommodate. The constraint of the extended position restricts those contralateral movements. So, when a facet is stuck in extension, flexion, contralateral rotation, and contralateral side bending are restricted.

A facet being stuck in extension places the joint in a closed, jammed position. From there, movements that would require the joint to move back toward neutral or into flexion are hindered because the joint surfaces can’t glide apart as needed. Flexion itself is limited because it would open the extended facet; the locked position prevents that opening.

Similarly, rotating toward the opposite side (contralateral rotation) and bending toward the opposite side (contralateral side bending) would demand gliding that the extended facet cannot accommodate. The constraint of the extended position restricts those contralateral movements.

So, when a facet is stuck in extension, flexion, contralateral rotation, and contralateral side bending are restricted.