title: Management of distraction injury of the lumbosacral junction with unilateral perched facet.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traumatic unilateral facet dislocation without fracture is an uncommon injury of the lumbosacral junction. We describe a case of a unilateral perched L5-S1 facet causing axial back pain and radiculopathy provoked by motion.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient underwent reduction with complete facetectomy followed by internal fixation at L5-S1, facilitating decompression of the S1 nerve root. Postoperatively, the patient reported improvement in her pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This injury can be recognized using subtle clues, such as transverse process fractures and/or widened posterior elements. Despite its rarity, when identified, this injury can be characterized using the new TLICS system for thoracolumbar fractures and should be managed accordingly.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Baystate Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Clemens M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Schirmer
authors.forename: Erica F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Bisson