The records of thirteen patients were analysed with reference to symptomatology, objective findings on neurological examination. The symptoms with which these patients presented can be divided into four groups; a) intermittent claudication-six cases, b) objective signs of root compression plus a) -five cases, c) unilateral or bilateral pain and numbness in the leg-one case, and d) low back pain only-one case. The facetectomy was unilateral in fifteen facets and bilateral in twelve. Ten patients had unilateral or bilateral decompression at two levels of intervertebral space. The symptoms most frequently relieved were pain in the leg, intermittent claudication and low back pain.
