What is posterior facet joints?

What is posterior facet joints?

The posterior facet joints are synovial joints, similar to other joints in the human body. They experience constant, repetitive motion, and can become worn or torn. They also can become restricted in movement or develop too much movement resulting in pain.

What does hypertrophy of the facet joints mean?

Spinal Joint Pain, Discomfort and Instabilities are Issues Linked to Hypertrophy of Facet Joints. As mentioned, facet hypertrophy (hypertrophy of facet) is the result of excessive damage to spinal joints. The term “Hypertrophy” means degenerative changes that result in thickening.

What are the symptoms of Facet joint disease?

Facet joint disease, which is also known as facet syndrome, spinal osteoarthritis, facet hypertrophy or facet arthritis, occurs when the facet joints in the spine degenerate to the point of causing painful symptoms.

Why do so many people have posterior facet syndrome?

In short, the ligamentous damage is further complicated with joint erosions, bone spurs, determinations, and arthritis. This cascading effect is the main reasons why so many neck pain and back pain patients have a diagnosis of posterior facet syndrome, facet imbrication or facet hypertrophy.

What are the symptoms of facet hypertrophy back pain?

If that happens, that cartilage will start to wear away over a period of a few months to a few years, leading to bone rubbing on bone, inflammation, and bone spurs. Facet hypertrophy manifests itself as spinal stenosis, the symptoms of which are back and leg pain.

What does severe hypertrophic facet mean?

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. If left untreated, facet hypertrophy can cause several other conditions including stenosis and radiculopathy.

What is osteophyte formation and facet hypertrophic changes?

Facet joint degeneration causes loss of cartilage and formation of osteophytes (eg, bone spurs). These changes may cause hypertrophy or osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease . Osteophytes (eg, bone spurs) may form adjacent to the end plates, which may compromise blood supply to the vertebra.

Can injury cause hypertrophy of the facets?

If you’re getting on in years, especially if you’ve sustained a back injury or two along the way, you may be prone to a condition known facet joint hypertrophy. Hypertrophy in your facet joints is related to spinal arthritis , and like spinal arthritis, it usually occurs as the effects of age, wear and tear, poor posture and/or injuries take root.

What is severe facet hypertrophy?

Re: Severe Facet Hypertrophy. HYPERtrophy means that the facet joints have bone spurs that are making the openings for the nerves smaller. Disc degeneration means simply that as everyone ages, the discs start to dry out, they have less hydration in them and they may shrink over time.