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Facet syndrome is a syndrome in which the facet joints (synovial diarthroses) cause painful symptoms. [1] In conjunction with degenerative disc disease , a distinct but functionally related condition, facet arthropathy is believed to be one of the most common causes of lower back pain.
Facet joint arthrosis is an intervertebral disc disorder. The facet joints or zygapophyseal joints are synovial cartilage covered joints that limit the movement of the spine and preserve segmental stability. In the event of hypertrophy of the vertebrae painful arthrosis can occur. [1]
In the spine, there is bone formation along the anterior longitudinal ligament and sometimes the posterior longitudinal ligament, which may lead to partial or complete fusion of adjacent vertebrae. The facet and sacroiliac joints tend to be uninvolved. The thoracic spine is the most common level involved. [2]
In cervical spondylosis, a patient may be presented with dull neck pain with neck stiffness in the initial stages of the disease. As the disease progresses, symptoms related to radiculopathy (due to compression of exiting spinal nerve by narrowed intervertebral foramen) or myelopathy (due to compression on the spinal cord) can occur. [2]
The articular facets, also in the posterior portion of the bony spine can become thickened and enlarged, causing stenosis. These changes are often called "trophic changes" or "facet trophism" in radiology reports. As the canal becomes smaller, resembling a triangular shape, it is called a "trefoil" canal. [citation needed]
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a medical condition typically brought on by the aging process in which there are anatomic changes and possibly a loss of function of one or more intervertebral discs of the spine. [1] DDD can take place with or without symptoms, but is typically identified once symptoms arise.
For example, the facet joint between T1 and T2 is innervated by C8 and T1 medial branch nerves. Facet joint between L1 and L2; the T12 and L1 medial branch nerves. However, the L5 and S1 facet joint is innervated by the L4 medial branch nerve and the L5 dorsal ramus. In this case, there is no L5 medial branch to innervate the facet joint.
These changes are more pronounced as time progresses after injury, and are evidenced by end plate osteophytosis, disc damage, disc narrowing, desiccation and disc bulging. “A retrolisthesis hyperloads at least one disc and puts shearing forces on the anterior longitudinal ligament, the annular rings, nucleus pulposus , cartilage end plates ...