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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]
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 is a shortened version of the thirteenth chapter of the ICD-9: Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue. It covers ICD codes 710 to 739 . The full chapter can be found on pages 395 to 415 of Volume 1, which contains all (sub)categories of the ICD-9.
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]
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.
Spinal ligaments can thicken (ligamenta flava) [24] [25] Bone spurs develop on the bone and into the spinal canal or foraminal openings; Intervertebral discs may bulge or herniate into the canal or foraminal openings [26] Degenerative disc disease causes narrowing of the spaces. [27] Facet joints break down; Facet joints may hypertrophy [28]
In contrast, a spondyloarthropathy is a condition involving the vertebral joints, but many conditions involve both spondylopathy and spondyloarthropathy. Examples include ankylosing spondylitis and spondylosis.
Whether a patient experiences pain or not largely depends on the location of the affected disc and the amount of pressure that is being put on the spinal column and surrounding nerve roots. Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common sources of back pain and affects approximately 30 million people every year. [3]