{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T01:09:00Z","timestamp":1760058540399,"version":"build-2065373602"},"reference-count":37,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"8","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,8]],"date-time":"2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1744070400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JCM"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Minimal facet and lateral mass fractures of the subaxial cervical spine (C3\u2013C7) are a distinct subset of spinal injuries that present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. These fractures often result from low-energy trauma or hyperextension mechanisms. They are frequently stable. However, subtle fracture instability and associated soft tissue injuries may lead to delayed instability, neurological compromise, and\/or chronic severe pain if not properly identified. Accurate diagnosis relies on a combination of plain radiography, high-resolution computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess bony and ligamentous integrity. Treatment strategy is determined based on fracture stability, neurological status, and radiographic findings. Most stable fractures can be effectively treated with conservative treatment, allowing for natural healing while minimizing complications. However, when instability is suspected\u2014such as those with significant disc and ligamentous injuries, progressive deformity, or neurological deficits\u2014surgical stabilization may be considered. The presence of vertebral artery injury (VAI) can further complicate management. To mitigate the risk of stroke, a multidisciplinary approach that includes neurosurgery, vascular surgery, and interventional radiology is needed. Surgical treatment aims to restore spinal alignment, maintain stability, and prevent further neurological deterioration with approaches tailored to individual fracture patterns and patient-specific factors. Advances in surgical techniques, perioperative management, and endovascular interventions for VAI continue refining treatment options to improve clinical outcomes while minimizing complications. Despite increasing knowledge of these fractures and associated vascular injuries, optimal treatment strategies remain unclear due to limited high-quality evidence. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the anatomy, biomechanics, classification, imaging modalities, and treatment strategies for minimal facet and lateral mass fractures in the subaxial cervical spine, highlighting recent advancements in diagnostic tools, therapeutic approaches, and managing vertebral artery injuries. A more precise understanding of the natural history and optimal management of these injuries will help spine specialists refine clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm14082554","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,9]],"date-time":"2025-04-09T03:32:53Z","timestamp":1744169573000},"page":"2554","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Treatment Strategy for Subaxial Minimal Facet\/Lateral Mass Fractures: A Comprehensive Clinical Review"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4237-4556","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Chae-Gwan","family":"Kong","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Uijeongbu St. Mary\u2019s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Uijeongbu 11765, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8273-3731","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jong-Beom","family":"Park","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Uijeongbu St. Mary\u2019s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Uijeongbu 11765, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,8]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"125","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nec.2016.07.005","article-title":"Treatment of facet injuries in the cervical spine","volume":"28","author":"Khezri","year":"2017","journal-title":"Neurosurg. 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