L5-S1 facet joint dysfunction most commonly refers pain to which region?

L5-S1 facet joint dysfunction most commonly refers pain to which region?

• A. Lumbar spine to gluteal region
• B. Lumbar spine to groin region
• C. Lumbar spine to lateral knee region
• D. Lumbar spine to trochanteric region

Answer: (A)

Lumbar facet joint dysfunction most commonly produces referred pain to the gluteal region. Irritation of the lumbar facet joints tends to refer to the paraspinal area and buttock because their innervation (medial branches of the dorsal rami) favors referral to the posterior trunk and buttock rather than distally down the leg. This pattern helps distinguish facetogenic pain from hip or radicular sources, which more often present with groin pain (hip joint pathology) or a dermatomal distribution down the leg (radiculopathy). So the most typical referral area is the gluteal region.

Lumbar facet joint dysfunction most commonly produces referred pain to the gluteal region. Irritation of the lumbar facet joints tends to refer to the paraspinal area and buttock because their innervation (medial branches of the dorsal rami) favors referral to the posterior trunk and buttock rather than distally down the leg. This pattern helps distinguish facetogenic pain from hip or radicular sources, which more often present with groin pain (hip joint pathology) or a dermatomal distribution down the leg (radiculopathy). So the most typical referral area is the gluteal region.