What did Goldthwait really write about facet joint pain: a review of his seminal article on the centenary of its publication

Abstract

Goldthwait (1911) is often attributed as being the first to mention the zygoapophysial joints as a cause of low back pain. Examination of the original publication is made to determine the accuracy of this claim. While Goldthwait does describe the lumbosacral zygoapophysial joint, it was more related to a displacement or dislocation. Ghormley (1933) clearly describes the zygoapophysial joints as a potential cause of low back pain and deserves acknowledgement for this.

Keywords:

• Goldthwait
• Historical review
• Zygoapophysial joint
• Ghormley
• Disc protrusion