Due to the contour of the thoracic laminae and general orientation of the articular processes the zygapophysial joints appear to lie flat, close to the spinous processes with the prominent
costotransverse joints lying more laterally (Figure 1).
Two joints potentially implicated in the development of stress fractures are the costovertebral and costotransverse joints (11).
If the costovertebral or costotransverse joints are involved, treatment should include the passive mobilization of the joint to improve flexibility (7).