A prosthesis for facet joints of the spinal column includes a bearing piece and a guide rod. The bearing piece includes a pressure plate that is configured for resting on an articular surface of the vertebra and, on the opposite side, a bearing insert which has an articular surface configured for interacting with an articular surface of an adjacent vertebra. The guide rod is secured on the bearing piece by means of a pivot joint. The bearing forces are transmitted to the vertebra via the pressure plate. In this way, the guide rod can have a narrow configuration, such that a slit excavated in the vertebra for receiving the guide rod can also be made narrow to permit a simple and reliable implantation technique which at the same time is gentle on the bone substance.