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Facet syndrome is a syndrome in which the facet joints (synovial diarthroses) cause painful symptoms. [1] In conjunction with degenerative disc disease, a distinct but functionally related condition, facet arthropathy is believed to be one of the most common causes of lower back pain. [2] [3]
Facet joint arthrosis is an intervertebral disc disorder.The facet joints or zygapophyseal joints are synovial cartilage covered joints that limit the movement of the spine and preserve segmental stability.
This is commonly known as facet joint arthritis or facet arthropathy. [3] As with any arthritis , the joint can become enlarged due to the degenerative process. Even small changes to the facet joint can narrow the intervertebral foramen , possibly impinging on the spinal nerve roots within. [ 3 ]
In the more narrow sense, it refers to spinal osteoarthritis, the age-related degeneration of the spinal column, which is the most common cause of spondylosis. The degenerative process in osteoarthritis chiefly affects the vertebral bodies, the neural foramina and the facet joints (facet syndrome).
This loss of height causes laxity of the longitudinal ligaments, which may allow anterior, posterior, or lateral shifting of the vertebral bodies, causing facet joint malalignment and arthritis; scoliosis; cervical hyperlordosis; thoracic hyperkyphosis; lumbar hyperlordosis; narrowing of the space available for the spinal tract within the ...
In the spine, there is bone formation along the anterior longitudinal ligament and sometimes the posterior longitudinal ligament, which may lead to partial or complete fusion of adjacent vertebrae. The facet and sacroiliac joints tend to be uninvolved. The thoracic spine is the most common level involved. [2]
Facet joint injections came into use from 1963, when Hirsch injected a hypertonic solution of saline into facet joints. [3] He found that this solution relieved lower back pain in the sacroiliac and gluteal regions of the spine. In 1979 fluoroscopy was used for guidance of the needle into the facet joints with steroids and local anesthetics. [3]
Inflammatory back pain associated with ankylosing spondylitis usually starts slowly, has a dull feel to it, and spreads into the gluteal areas. Back pain has a nocturnal component, gets better with movement, and is worse in the morning. Axial arthritis may begin in the sacroiliac joints and work its way up to the cervical spine over time.