title: The lumbar facet joint: a review of current knowledge: part 1: anatomy, biomechanics, and grading.
abstract: We present a two-part review article on the current state of knowledge of lumbar facet joint pathology. This first article discusses the functional anatomy, biomechanics, and radiological grading systems currently in use in clinical practice and academic medicine. Facet joint degeneration is presented within the larger context of degenerative disc disease to enable the reader to better understand the anatomical changes underlying facet-mediated lower back pain. Other less-common, but equally important etiologies of lumbar facet joint degeneration are reviewed. The existing grading systems are discussed with specific reference to the reliability of CT and MR imaging in the diagnosis of lumbar facet osteoarthritis. It is hoped that this discussion will stimulate debate on how best to improve the diagnostic reliability of these tests so as to improve both operative and non-operative treatment outcomes.
authors.affiliation: NYU School of Medicine, Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, 317 East 34th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Gerard P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Varlotta
authors.forename: Todd R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Lefkowitz
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schweitzer
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Errico
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spivak
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bendo
authors.forename: Leon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rybak
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*