Which structure is injured in a facet joint sprain?

Which structure is injured in a facet joint sprain?

• A. The ligaments of the facet joint
• B. Intervertebral discs
• C. The facet joint capsule only
• D. The spinal cord

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that a facet joint sprain is a ligamentous injury. Sprains mean tearing or overstretching of ligaments, and in the spine the facet (zygapophyseal) joints are stabilized by ligaments and a joint capsule. When a sprain occurs, the ligaments around the facet joint—the ligamentous stabilizers—are stressed or torn, producing pain and dysfunction. The intervertebral discs are a different structure and aren’t the primary injury in a facet joint sprain, and the spinal cord is not involved in this mechanism. The facet joint capsule is indeed part of the surrounding ligamentous structures, but the injury typically encompasses the ligaments of the facet joint, not just the capsule alone.

The key idea is that a facet joint sprain is a ligamentous injury. Sprains mean tearing or overstretching of ligaments, and in the spine the facet (zygapophyseal) joints are stabilized by ligaments and a joint capsule. When a sprain occurs, the ligaments around the facet joint—the ligamentous stabilizers—are stressed or torn, producing pain and dysfunction. The intervertebral discs are a different structure and aren’t the primary injury in a facet joint sprain, and the spinal cord is not involved in this mechanism. The facet joint capsule is indeed part of the surrounding ligamentous structures, but the injury typically encompasses the ligaments of the facet joint, not just the capsule alone.