The lumbar facet arthrosis syndrome. Clinical presentation and articular surface changes.

Abstract

We describe a lumbar facet syndrome in which disabling symptoms are associated with normal or near-normal plain radiographs. Local spinal fusion relieved symptoms in 12 patients; the excised facet joint surfaces showed some of the histological changes seen in chondromalacia patellae and in osteoarthritis of other large joints. The most frequent change was focal full-thickness cartilage necrosis or loss of cartilage with exposure of subchondral bone, but osteophyte formation was remarkably absent in all specimens. We suggest that there are both clinical and histological similarities between the facet arthrosis syndrome and chondromalacia patellae. Facet arthrosis may be a relatively important cause of intractable back pain in young and middle-aged adults.

• Authors: S M Eisenstein, C R Parry
• Journal: The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume (J Bone Joint Surg Br) Vol. 69 Issue 1 Pg. 3-7 (Jan 1987) ISSN: 0301-620X [Print] England
• PMID: 2950102 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adult
• Back Pain (etiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Lumbar Vertebrae (diagnostic imaging, pathology, surgery)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Osteoarthritis (diagnostic imaging, pathology, surgery)
• Radiography
• Spinal Diseases (diagnostic imaging, surgery)
• Spinal Fusion
• Syndrome