INJURIES TO THE ACCESSORY PROCESSES OF THE SPINAL VERTEBRAE

1. More complete roentgenographic studies of the spine, made in various planes, will reveal previously undiagnosed fractures of the accessory processes as one of the causes of previously unexplained chronic low-back pain following injury.

2. Early diagnosis, which is only possible by complete roentgenographic examination, and the institution of adequate conservative treatment give an excellent prognosis for complete recovery in simple lesions.

3. Injuries resulting in permanent damage to the articular facets may require surgery for their alleviation.

4. In debatable injuries, early studies with systematic follow-up will demonstrate fractures progressing to complete healing or to sclerotic changes, in contrast to anomalies which are unchanged over a similar period.

5. This study has proved to our satisfaction that fractures of the articular processes are of relatively frequent occurrence and we hope by this presentation to have stimulated sufficient interest for more careful routine investigation of these portions of the vertebral column.

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