What is degenerative facet disease?
Facet disease — also called facet syndrome — describes degeneration of the facet joints in the spine. Facet joints connect vertebrae and they work with the intervertebral discs to provide support, stabilization, shock absorption and flexible movement within the spine.
Does facet syndrome show up on MRI?
Facet arthropathy may be diagnosed on x-rays, CT and MRI. CT scan may show thickened irregular facet joints. MRI scan may show joint swelling, thickened ligaments and bones and pinched nerves. These imaging studies only show the physical abnormality.
What is degenerative disc and facet disease?
The gradual deterioration of the disc between the vertebrae is referred to as degenerative disc disease, sometimes abbreviated DDD. Wear of the facet cartilage and the bony changes of the adjacent joint is referred to as degenerative facet joint disease or osteoarthritis of the spine.
Is facet arthropathy a degenerative spine condition?
Facet arthropathy is a degenerative condition that affects the spine. The spine is made up of segments of vertebrae running along the spinal column. Between each vertebra are two facet joints.
Can you be paralyzed from degenerative disc disease?
If the disc herniates in the direction of the spinal cord or nerve root, it can cause neurologic compromise. Disc herniations in the cervical spine can be serious. If significant enough, they can cause paralysis of both the upper and lower extremities, though this is extremely rare.
What aggravates facet joint pain?
Pain is often aggravated by leaning back (extension) and/or twisting (rotation) of the neck or back, and can be relieved by bending forward (flexion). Cervical facet pain can cause pain when turning the head while driving or difficulty at night relaxing the neck when lying down.
How do you treat facet degenerative disc disease?
Treatment may include occupational therapy, physical therapy, or both, special exercises, medications, losing weight, and surgery. Medical options include injecting the joints next to the damaged disc with steroids and a local anesthetic. These are called facet joint injections. They can provide effective pain relief.
Is facet arthropathy common?
Facet joint syndrome occurs in both men and women. It is most common between the ages of 40 and 70 and in those prone to arthritis. It also may develop in people who’ve had a spine injury.
Facet disease, which is sometimes referred to as spinal osteoarthritis, is a degenerative condition that damages your facet joints. When your facet joints work properly, they allow you to move without damaging the nerves and tissue in your spinal canal.
What is facet joint effusion?
Facet joint effusion occurs in about 80% of all cases of low back pain as one of the basic findings that explain the source of the pain, along with edema and swelling of the ligaments that are connected between the spinal bones.
What does facet degenerative changes mean?
The wearing out or degenerative changes of a facet joint is referred to as facet hypertrophy. In facet hypertrophy, the facets expand with arthritic bones or spurs to counter the wear and tear resulting from the degenerative changes.
What is mild facet hypertrophy?
Facet Hypertrophy. Facet Hypertrophy is a condition in which there is a swelling, or enlargement, of the facet joint. This swelling in the facet joint can increase to the point where nerves in the spine come under pressure causing pain and discomfort.