What are Apophyseal joints?
An apophyseal joint is a point where two or more bones join in the spine. The spinal joint is encapsulated by connective tissues, coated with cartilage and lubricated with synovial fluid to enable smooth joint articulation. Each vertebra has a pair of apophyseal joints- one on the left and one on the right.
What causes degeneration of the facet joints?
Natural wear, tear and daily stresses cause joint degeneration over time. The facet joints can progressively degenerate from repetitive stresses due to poor posture, a physically demanding job, or years of playing sports and engaging in high-impact activities that place stress and pressure on the spine.
What is the best treatment for facet joint pain?
Treatment of Facet Joint Arthropathy and Back Pain
- Analgesia (pain medications)
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
- Physiotherapy.
- Steroid pain injection therapies.
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
- Behaviour modification – e.g. avoiding heavy lifting.
- Bracing.
Can facet joint pain be cured?
A combination of one or more treatments is usually tried to control the symptoms of facet joint disorders. For the vast majority of patients, a combination of lifestyle changes, medication, physical therapy and exercise, and posture correction will help control the pain.
Is mild degenerative disc disease bad?
The condition starts with damage to the spine, but in time, symptoms can affect other parts of the body. Symptoms usually get worse with age. The discomfort can range from mild to severe and debilitating. It can lead to osteoarthritis, with pain and stiffness in the back.
What helps facet joint pain at home?
Keeping your back on the floor, roll your hips up slightly, as if trying to elongate your lower spine, while drawing your abdomen in toward your spine. Do not arch your lower back, and keep your head and shoulders on the floor. Remember to breathe. Hold for a few seconds, then roll your hips back to starting position.
What is Cervical degenerative joint disease?
Cervical degenerative joint disease is an arthritic condition that occurs with the natural degeneration and aging of the spine. It is a common cause of neck pain. The cervical vertebrae are connected by three joints. There is a joint between the bodies of two vertebra connected by an intervertebral disc, and two facet joints connecting the vertebra.
What is mild degenerative changes of the shoulder?
Degenerative joint disease of the shoulder is a gradual wearing of the articular cartilage that leads to pain and stiffness. As the joint surface degenerates, the subchondral bone remodels, losing its sphericity and congruity. The joint capsule also becomes thickened, leading to further loss of shoulder rotation.
What is degenerative changes in the cervical spine?
Cervical spondylosis refers to age-related degenerative changes of the cervical spine. These changes, which include intervertebral disk degeneration, disk space narrowing, spur formation, and facet and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, can lead to the narrowing of the cervical spinal canal.