![]() ![]() However, rapid movements, heavy twisting, or backward motions in the low back can injure a facet joint, leading to immediate symptoms. Symptoms rarely develop immediately when degeneration is causing the problems. This is partly because spinal degeneration in later life is the main cause of facet joint arthritis. The joint becomes inflamed, swollen, and painful.įacet joint arthritis develops slowly over a long period of time. When the articular cartilage degenerates, or wears away, the bone underneath is uncovered and rubs against bone. Eventually, the joint surfaces become arthritic. As the spurs form around the edges of the facet joints, the joints become enlarged. The body responds to this extra pressure by developing bone spurs. Fractures, torn ligaments, and disc problems can all cause abnormal movement and alignment, putting extra stress on the surfaces of the facet joints. This causes the facet joints to press together.įacet joints can also become arthritic due to a back injury earlier in life. As a disc thins with aging and from daily wear and tear, the space between two spinal vertebrae shrinks. Injury or problems in any one of these structures affects the other two. If pressure builds where the joint meets, the cartilage on the joint surfaces wears off, or erodes.Įach segment in the spine has three main points of movement, the intervertebral disc and the two facet joints. Normally, the facet joints fit together snugly and glide smoothly, without pressure. Related Document: A Patient's Guide to Lumbar Spine Anatomy Causes It allows the bone ends to move against each other smoothly, without friction. Articular cartilage is a smooth, rubbery material that covers the ends of most joints. The surfaces of the facet joints are covered by articular cartilage. The alignment of the facet joints of the lumbar spine allows freedom of movement as you bend forward and back. Where these knobs meet, they form a joint that connects the two vertebrae. A facet joint is made of small, bony knobs that line up along the back of the spine. There are two facet joints between each pair of vertebrae, one on each side of the spine. The facet joints are located on the back of the spinal column. Just as the skull protects the brain, the bones of the spinal column protect the spinal cord.īetween the vertebrae of each spinal segment are two facet joints. This tube, called the spinal canal, surrounds the spinal cord as it passes through the spine. When the vertebrae are stacked on top of each other, these bony rings create a hollow tube. The back portion of the spinal column forms a bony ring. The spinal column gives the body its form. Vertebrae are stacked on top of one another to create the spinal column. The human spine is made up of 24 spinal bones, called vertebrae. Like other joints in the body that are covered with articular cartilage, the lumbar facet joints can be affected by arthritis. Articular cartilage covers the surfaces where these joints meet. Aligned on the back of the spinal column, the facet joints link each vertebra together. Arthritis of the lumbar facet joints can be a source of significant low back pain. ![]()
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