|

Facet Joint Arthritis
Facet joint arthritis is usually the result of a pain condition, not the cause. 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.

Causes of Facet Joint Degeneration
* Osteoarthritis
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
compress a nerve
or cause
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. A better explanation is that they suffer the same degeneration as the rest of us, just at an earlier age.
Recommendation for Facet Joint Arthritis
Facet joint arthritis 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 pain is nothing to fear. If you can embrace that thought, you might have already found your cure…
Facet Joint Arthritis to Back Pain Home page
7/16/06 Revised 5/30/07

|