Common symptoms of facet joint sprain?

• A. Global numbness in limbs.
• B. Localised spinal pain, worse with extension or rotation, muscle spasm, reduced ROM.
• C. Fever and weight loss.
• D. Headache only.

Answer: (B)

Facet joint sprain typically causes localized spinal pain that is aggravated by movements placing stress on the joints, especially extension and rotation. The joint capsule and surrounding ligaments become inflamed, and the paraspinal muscles often go into spasm to protect the area, leading to reduced range of motion. This pattern—pain centered in the spine with stiffness and muscle guarding—fits a facet joint issue. Other options describe symptoms that don’t align with how facet joint pain behaves: global numbness suggests nerve involvement, fever and weight loss point to systemic illness, and headache alone isn’t a typical presentation of facet joint sprain.