What causes facet hypertrophy?

What causes facet 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 facet hypertrophic disease?

Hypertrophic Facet Disease Definition. Facet Hypertrophy is the term used to describe a degeneration and enlargement of the facet joints. The facet joints, which are a pair of small joints at each level along the back of the spine, are designed to provide support, stability, and flexibility to the spine.

What causes hypertrophy in the facet of the spine?

As is the case with other parts of the spine, facet joints can be affected by stress, trauma, and natural wear. This type of degeneration can break down cushioning that reduces friction between the bony parts of facet joints. When this happens, it’s referred to as facet joint hypertrophy.

What are the symptoms of Facet joint hypertrophy?

Facet hypertrophy manifests itself as spinal stenosis, the symptoms of which are back and leg pain. Typically it feels worse when you’re standing and walking, and better when you’re sitting. There’s nothing you can do to reverse facet joint hypertrophy, but there are things you can do to make it less painful:

Is the degeneration of the facet joints a degenerative disease?

If allowed to progress far enough, these symptoms can cause debilitating pain and make simple, daily activities almost unbearable. It’s important to note that while the degeneration of the facet joints is known as facet disease, it is not necessarily a progressive or degenerative disease.

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 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 hypertrophic degenerative?

Mild hypertrophic degeneration refers to a degeneration of the facet joints in the spine. Facet joints help support the spine and give it flexibility. 1 person found this useful.

What is mild degenerative facet disease?

The gradual deterioration of the disc between the vertebrae is referred to as degenerative disc disease (DDD). As people age, the composition of the cartilage of the body changes, resulting in thinner and more fragile cartilage. The changes cause the discs and joints that stack the vertebrae (also known as facet joints) to wear and tear over time.