Bilateral Cervical Facet Dislocation Due to Catastrophic Shallow Water Diving: A Case Report

This case report discusses a rare injury: bilateral cervical facet dislocation resulting from a shallow water diving accident in a young adolescent. The patient experienced incomplete central cord syndrome and underwent emergency surgery. Following surgery and rehabilitation, the patient showed substantial neurological recovery. The report emphasizes the need for increased awareness and preventive measures to reduce the risk of such accidents, especially among young people.

• 1
  A 13-year-old boy suffered bilateral C4/C5 facet dislocation resulting in incomplete central cord syndrome (ASIA C) after diving into shallow water.
• 2
  The patient underwent posterior instrumentation and decompression, leading to significant neurological recovery, enabling independent walking after six months.
• 3
  MRI revealed bilateral C4/C5 perched facet joints with spinal cord oedema from C4 to C6 and intramedullary haemorrhage but no spinal stenosis.