{"id":20041,"date":"2021-10-22T19:32:02","date_gmt":"2021-10-22T19:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goutpatients.com\/?p=20041"},"modified":"2021-10-28T21:18:44","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T21:18:44","slug":"facet-joint-arthritis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goutpatients.com\/facet-joint-arthritis\/","title":{"rendered":"Facet Joint Arthritis – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Facet<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Think about all the things that your spine enables you to do; bend, turn, sit, stand upright, lean left and right, and so much more. All these activities are made possible, mainly by the facet joints situated in the spine. At times, as you do all these, you may have experienced pain. Did you know that this may be a likelihood of facet joint arthritis?  Read on to find out more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other names: facet arthropathy, facet joint syndrome, Z joint arthritis, spinal osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spinal anatomy and arthritis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The spine is made up of bones referred to as vertebrae. The vertebrae are connected by joints known as the facet joints. The doctor can refer to these joints as facets, apophyseal or zygapophyseal joints. Like any other joints in the body, they function to offer healthy movement, flexibility, and stability for every motion segment. They work closely with the intervertebral discs, and therefore, the degeneration of one affects the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Facet joints have articular cartilage to offer them cushioning and prevent friction. If the cartilage that covers the facet joints wears down or thins out, spinal osteoarthritis occurs. This may result in osteophyte growth (bone spurs) and enlargement of these joints(hypertrophy). The condition occurs gradually over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types and causes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The cause is mainly dependent on what specific spinal point is affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lumbar spinal osteoarthritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It causes pain in the lower back and is the most common. The pain may be radiated or referred to the lower peripheries like the buttocks and thighs but not below the knee. Straightly standing up or even getting up from a seated position becomes difficult. Pain with an initiated motion is usually the most common symptom. The most prevalent risk factor or cause is a degenerative effect like aging<\/a> but, trauma can also bring about the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cervical spinal osteoarthritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The cervical spine is the top area of the spine. You will mostly feel pain in the neck and around the shoulder areas. The pain may restrict several ranges of motion, and particularly, head rotation becomes very difficult or almost impossible. You may also experience headaches. The most prevalent cause is trauma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thoracic spinal osteoarthritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It causes pain within your mid-back. You may find that the ability to turn the entire body is restricted, especially when trying to turn right or left. It occurs mainly due to trauma. This type is the least common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Risk factors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n