Facet Syndrome is best described as which of the following?

• A. Irritation or inflammation of the joint capsules caused by subluxations and mechanical stress on joints
• B. Thickening of the supraspinous ligament without pain
• C. Infection of the joint capsules
• D. Degenerative disc disease

Answer: (A)

Facet syndrome centers on irritation or inflammation of the facet joint capsules when the joints are subjected to subluxation-like misalignment and mechanical stress. The facet (zygapophyseal) joints are synovial joints with a capsule that can become irritated when the spine moves abnormally or is overloaded, leading to local pain and muscle guarding. This is the classic description: pain arising from the joint capsules due to mechanical stress on the facets and any resulting inflammation.

The other descriptions describe different problems: thickening of a spinal ligament without pain isn’t about the facet joints; infection of the joint capsules would be septic arthritis with systemic signs; and degenerative disc disease involves the intervertebral discs rather than the facet joints themselves.