Zygapophyseal joint

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In anatomy, the zygapophyseal joint (facet joint) is "the joint that occurs between facets of the interior and superior articular processes of adjacent vertebra."[1]

A typical thoracic vertebra, viewed from above.
Sagittal section of a lumbar vertebra.

Disorders

Osteorthritis of the zygapophyseal joint may be associated with lumbalgia (back pain). Hypertrophy of the facet joint may lead to sciatica.[2]

An underpowered randomized controlled trial found one of 10 patients benefited from corticosteroid injection of the facet joint.[3] However, possibly due to the small size of the trial, this result did not reach statistical significance. Radiofrequency denervation or ablation may be able to reduce pain.[4]

References