The authors describe the percutaneous endoscopic release of jumped and
locked cervical facet joints under direct visualization as an alternative technique to
open posterior decompression and reduction under capital traction. Instead of under
general anesthesia, the procedure can be done under local anesthesia allowing the
surgeon to communicate verbally with the injured patient while directly visualizing the
decompression, release, and spontaneous reduction of the locked facet, thus, lowering
the risk of unrecognized grave neurological complications. The author's endoscopic
technique affords the surgeon the ability to provide the patient with a more simplified
solution to the jumped and locked facet problem, thereby decreasing the overall
morbidity and surgical risks associated with a combined anterior and posterior
approach typically performed for this condition. The authors present a representative
case example to illustrate their technique.
Keywords: Cervical facet dislocation, Decompression, Jumped facets,
Laminectomy, Locked facets, Posterior cervical approach, Spinal cord
compression, Spinal endoscopy, Upper motor neuron dysfunction.
