Facet Joint Arthropathy

The facet joints are the most 'pull apartable' structures of the spine, with their freedom controlled by the extraordinarily strong facet capsules (AKA 'capsular ligaments'). Injury to the facet joints causes a primary inflammation of the joint, mainly of the facet capsule and also its sensitive inner lining, the synovial membrane. As with any other synovial joint injury, the joint swells and the muscles swing in to protect it.
Facet joint disorders are some of the most common of all the recurrent, disabling low back and neck problems, and can cause serious symptoms and disability for patients. However, facet joint problems rarely involve the spinal nerves.

causes of Facet Joint arthropathy:

Facet joints, like other synovial joints, are susceptible to wear and tear, degeneration, inflammation and arthritic changes. Inflammation and degenerative changes to the facet joints may result in pain, loss of motion, and if severe encroachment or pinching of the nerve exiting the spinal column. Causes of facet joint arthropathy include:

• Degeneration or general wear and tear of the joint, can cause arthritis.
• Disc degeneration may cause loss of height between vertebra, placing a greater compression force on the posterior facet joints.
• Extension (backward) motions can produce compression on the facet joints which can lead to degenerative and eventual arthritic changes.
• Sudden fall or trauma like a motor vehicle accident can result in a facet joint irritation.
• Genetic factors can contribute to the likelihood of degenerative joint disease.
• Repetitive stress injuries like those from lifting or carrying heavy loads, or performing over the head motions that keep the neck and head in an extended position can cause facet joint irritation.
• Muscle weakness and poor posture.
• Joint stiffness.
• Sedentary lifestyle.

Symptoms of Facet Joint Problems:

A correct diagnosis must await subsidence of the acute problem. Symptoms may include the following:

• Acute episodes of lumbar and cervical facet joint pain are typically intermittent, generally unpredictable, and occur a few times per month or per year.
• Most patients will have a persisting point tenderness overlying the inflamed facet joints and some degree of loss in the spinal muscle flexibility (called guarding).
• Typically, there will be more discomfort while leaning backward than while leaning forward.
• Low back pain from the facet joints often radiates down into the buttocks and down the back of the upper leg. The pain is rarely present in the front of the leg, or rarely radiates below the knee or into the foot, as pain from a disc herniation often does.
• Similarly, cervical facet joint problems may radiate pain locally or into the shoulders or upper back, and rarely radiate in the front or down an arm or into the fingers as a herniated disc might.