Common Causes Of Facet Arthropathy

Facet joints are located along the spine, keeping the backbone in proper alignment by preventing too much motion in the vertebrae. As with any other joint, arthritis can occur, and in this case, it is called facet arthropathy. This condition can result in pain, inflammation, and reduced range of motion. Many things can trigger the development of facet arthropathy, though in some cases, an exact cause is never established. Knowing the most common causes of facet arthropathy can help individuals better understand this condition and can be beneficial as a way to decide on the best treatment option and to potentially prevent facet arthropathy from developing in the first place.

Synovial Cyst

A synovial cyst is a sac containing synovial fluid, which is the fluid encapsulated between joints to allow for smooth and fluid movement. An injury or extensive overuse may lead to some of this fluid seeping out. A sac may develop around this leaked fluid as the body attempts to contain the damage. If too much synovial fluid leaks out of the joint to form a cyst, there may not be enough fluid left to properly lubricate the joint. This can lead to degeneration of the cartilage, allowing the bones in the facet joints to rub together, causing facet arthropathy. Additionally, a cyst may put pressure on a nearby area, causing too much pressure to be placed on a joint, leading to excessive wear and tear.

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Injury To The Facet Joint

If a facet joint is damaged from an accident or injury, this could lead to the development of arthritis in that joint. Injury to the facet joint can occur if an individual happens to fall, especially if they injure their back during such a fall. A car accident may also cause trauma to one or more of the facet joints. This commonly occurs if an individual sustains a whiplash type of injury. Additionally, the facet joint may become injured by playing certain contact sports. A direct hit to the spine can damage the cartilage between the facet joints, causing a progressive degeneration that can result in facet arthropathy.

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Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease that can affect any joint in the body, causes the cartilage between the joints to wear down much quicker than from regular wear and tear. While this condition more commonly affects the joints in the legs, especially the hips and knees, it can also occur in other areas of the body, such as the facet joints. With improper spacing between the facet joints caused by loss of cartilage, more strain and stress on the joints can result in irritation and erosion of the bone. When the cartilage erodes away, the facet joints are more likely to rub together, causing arthritis and increasing degeneration and inflammation. This can trigger cases of facet arthropathy.

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Aging

Facet arthropathy is more likely to occur in men and women who are over fifty years old. This is because the condition may occur simply as a part of the natural aging process. The spine gets so much use on a daily basis, making it easy to understand how much just everyday wear and tear can place on the joints in this region of the body. Individuals who have led very active lives or who have spent a lot of time bending, twisting, and lifting may be more prone to developing facet arthropathy than those who have led more sedentary lifestyles.

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Degeneration Of The Facet Joint

Left untreated, any degeneration of the facet joint may result in the development of facet arthropathy. It can be difficult at times to pinpoint the exact cause of the erosion of the cartilage because so many factors can be at play. Some of the common causes of erosion of the cartilage between the facet joints include poor posture, heavy lifting, and other health problems that affect the discs in the spine. To avoid further damage and to keep painful symptoms at bay, it is important to fix the cause of the issue. Patients may need to learn how to lift heavy objects properly or work on their posture to prevent arthritis from developing in other facet joints located in the spine.