What would be seen on an AP C-spine when facet lock injury is present?

When a facet lock injury occurs, there is often a disturbance in the normal alignment of the cervical spine, particularly involving the articular processes of the vertebrae. The facet joints, which are located at the back of the spinal column, can become misaligned due to injury or trauma. In an anteroposterior (AP) view of the cervical spine, this misalignment manifests as a deviation or abnormal positioning of the spinous processes. This misalignment is critical because it indicates instability or disruption in the normal mechanics of the cervical spine, which can lead to further complications if not addressed.

While other options might describe related issues or conditions, misalignment of the spinous process is the direct and specific outcome of a facet lock injury that one would expect to see in an imaging study. For instance, while swelling of surrounding soft tissue may occur due to trauma, it does not directly indicate the structural mechanics at play in a facet lock injury. Similarly, fracture lines in the transverse processes and compression of intervertebral discs are not as characteristic of this particular injury mechanism.