Definition
The motion segment is the basic building block of the spine. The motion segment consists of the disc in the front of the spine and the facet joints on either side in the back of the spine. If the disc is the floor of the spine, then the facet joints are corners of the roof. The facet joints are mechanical restraints on motion of the spine limiting forward slipping and placing a barrier to unrestrained twiting of the spine. The joints are similar to a knee joint in the sense that they have cartilage on opposing surfaces, a joint lining (synovium) and are enclosed in a capsule (fibrous container) and have lubricating joint fluid.

Diagnosis
Facet Joint syndrome is diagnosed by injection of local anesthetic agents into the joint and or surrounding nerve supply to the joint. Relief of back or leg pain from this injection indicates that the pain is coming from the facet joint area.

Non-Surgery Treatment
The facet injections can be therapeutic with the injection of steroids to relieve pain for prolonged periods of time. Medications, physical therapy, bracing, etc. also may treat this condition.

Surgical Treatment
Rhizotomy is the procedure to essentially desensitize the facet joint nerves. Rarely, a patient is a candidate for a facet fusion or fusion of the motion segment with the painful facet joints.

Prognosis
Most patients with facet syndrome will improve over time.