|

Facet Joint Arthritis
Facet joint arthritis is usually part of an overall spinal degeneration process. This means that the cause of facet syndrome is usually a more widespread condition affecting the back.
Facet joint syndrome
is a normal part of the aging process and is not normally symptomatic in the vast majority of affected individuals.

Causes of Facet Joint Arthritis
* Arthritis in the spine
is the main cause of facet syndrome.
Spinal osteoarthritis
is also a normal part of the aging process for most people. Everyone will have some degree of osteoarthritis and facet joint degeneration as they age. Only a small percentage will suffer pain from these conditions.
Bones spurs
can build up around the
facet joints
and can cause some pain or symptoms. Occasionally, they can also cause
pinched nerves
or enact symptoms of
sciatica.
* Degenerative Disc Disease
(DDD) can also cause facet syndrome. As the discs thin and lose height, the vertebral bones become closer to one another. This increases the friction between the bones. This wear and tear is normal. Most of the time, DDD is not painful either.* Over use of the spine. How do you overuse your spine? It is thought that gymnasts, acrobats and certain athletes are more susceptible to facet syndrome, due to additional wear and tear on their
vertebrae.
Another theory states that they suffer the same degeneration as the rest of us, just at an earlier age.
Recommendation for Facet Joint Arthritis
Facet joint degeneration is caused by living. If you want to prevent it, you have to stop living…Not a great solution. A better answer is to accept the changes that occur in your body as it ages. Do not obsess over the pain and make it worse. Facet joint changes are typically nothing to
fear.
If you can embrace that thought, you might have already found your cure…
Facet Joint Arthritis to Back Pain Home
7/16/06 Revised 10/15/09

|