What does facet hypertrophy mean

Learn More. A total of 86 control subjects underwent lumbar magnetic resonance imaging MRI as part of routine medical examinations, and axial T2-weighted MRI images were obtained from all participants.

We measured FJT by drawing a line along the facet area and then measuring the narrowest point at L4-L5. The average FJT was 1. The average FJA was FJH, a misnomer, should be renamed facet joint area narrowing. Using this terminology would eliminate confusion in descriptions of the facet joint. Lumbar spinal canal stenosis LSCS results from degenerative changes in the spinal canal and is one of the most common spinal disorders in elderly individuals.

Their assertion has been hypothesized but has not been effectively demonstrated. We hypothesized that both would be important morphologic parameters for identifying facet joints. We retrospectively reviewed patients who had visited our pain clinic between March and June and had been diagnosed with LSCS. We excluded patients if they had a history of previous lumbar surgery or spinal injury, congenital spine defects, history of spinal interventions such as kyphoplasty, or any anatomic anomalies.

We enrolled a total of patients after the LSCS diagnosis was confirmed by 2 experienced, board-certified neuroradiologists. The measurement analysis and data collection was performed in a double-blind fashion. In the LSCS group, there were 28 The control group consisted of 86 participants [31 males The following other parameters were used as well: 0. The following other parameters were used: 0. The axial T2-weighted MR images had been acquired at the facet joint level for individual patients.

The average FJTs were 1. LSCS is a common pathologic condition in elderly individuals that causes intermittent neurogenic claudication and low back or buttock pain [ 11 ] ; it results from a combination of pathogenic factors, including hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum, a decrease in the area of the cauda equina, loss of intervertebral disk height, and hypertrophy of the facet joints.

Degenerative changes in facet joints also include subchondral sclerosis, osteophytosis, joint surface irregularity, and apophyseal hypertrophy. The authors asserted that this grading system may be useful for assessing facet joint osteoarthritis. Therefore, osteoarthritis occurs in facet joints as it does in other synovial joints. Bajek et al [ 18 ] explained that osteophyte formation in the lumbar spine is an attempt to stabilize an unstable segment; this mechanism ultimately leads to FJH.

Disc degeneration may also increase the stressful force on the facet joints. These authors also contended that there is no clear definition in the literature regarding lumbar FJH. It may be that any degenerative facet joint changes could be termed hypertrophic, but this imprecise term is not supported by the results of this study; in the present study, we measured both FJT and FJA.

Although FJT can reflect significant facet joint space narrowing, the shape of the facet joint is not always regular and the direction of the axis of the facet surface cannot be determined.

Analyzing FJA is beneficial for comparing cartilage degeneration with facet joint structure. These mechanical stressors put force on the facet joints, which leads to a high degree of abrasion, [ 23 , 24 ] and this etiology may alter the morphologic features of the facet joint area.

If this is accurate, what is the way to correct this misnomer? Previously, authors have concluded that osteophytes and hypertrophy of the superior articular process were the main factors of facet joint narrowing. Farrell et al [ 26 ] described the morphological patterns of the zygapophyseal joint. These cross-sectional areas were analyzed from cadaveric hemi-spines.

Simon et al [ 21 ] described the facet joint space width by measuring the cross-sectional area of the facet joint space using 3D computed tomography. This study has some limitations. First, although we measured the FJA and FJT in axial T2 images at the L facet joint, there may be errors associated with measuring these on MRI because these axial images may not be homogeneous due to differences in the cutting angle of the MRI resulting from individual anatomic variations and technical problems; in addition, the 4.

Second, the small sample sizes in some age groups can lead to less than ideal data analysis. Baseline demographic data of the patient population such as body weight and height vary widely.

Third, we measured FJT at the narrowest distances between the inferior and superior facet joint surfaces; therefore, we could not estimate the cartilage widths at individual facet joints using this technique. Fourth, several different parameters are known to effectively discriminate LSCS, such as morphological grading and analysis of cauda equina. Finally, another limitation of this study is its retrospective nature. Prospective researches are needed to validate and repeat our results.

Despite these limitations, this is the first objective study to verify that FJH is a misnomer in patients with LSCS, and these results may be valuable information to analyze further exact diagnostic terminology when assessing LSCS.

Facet disease is a very commonly a result of natural wear and tear that occurs within the spine after years of constant use. However, some people can experience advanced degeneration as a result of a traumatic injury to the spine, degenerative diseases or lifestyle choices. These causes can include:.

Unexpected, traumatic injuries that occur as a result of a car accident, high impact sports or significant fall. However, for more serious cases of facet disease, surgery may be required to relieve pressure on the nerve roots exiting the spinal column, remove bone spurs and help reduce or remove pain caused as a result of a degenerated joint.

At Atlantic Brain and Spine, our surgeons are trained in the most advanced minimally invasive spine procedures that can help treat facet disease. For more information about facet disease or treatment options, please contact our spine specialists. Facet Disease Atlantic Brain and Spine en-US facet joint disease is a spinal condition that occurs when the facet joints in the spine degenerate to the point of causing painful symptoms. What is Facet Joint Disease?

Symptoms of Facet Disease As was mentioned previously, the symptoms and amount of pain a person experiences from facet disease depends almost entirely on the location of the degenerated joint, the extent of damage that has occurred and the amount of pressure that it is putting on the surrounding nerve roots.

That said, there are some common symptoms that do occur in patients with facet disease, these include: Throbbing lower back pain that radiates into the buttocks or upper thighs Pain that goes from the back of the neck out to the shoulders Bone spurs Inflammation Tenderness of certain areas of the spine Pain that is exasperated through certain spine movements, like twisting your back, bending over, leaning back, etc. Causes of Facet Disease Facet disease is a very commonly a result of natural wear and tear that occurs within the spine after years of constant use.

Joint hypertrophy is commonly caused by: Aging: Degenerative changes in your facet joints are caused by aging. Eventually, these changes can lead to abnormal stress and strain which becomes painful. Pressure Changes: Degeneration of the intervertebral discs in your spine can lead to pressure changes in your spine. As these discs degenerate, they collapse and narrow the space between the vertebrae. This causes bone spurs and abnormal posture, both of which can further complicate your pain.

Injury: Hypertrophy is most commonly caused by trauma from significant falls, high-impact sports, and motor vehicle accidents. The most common symptoms of Facet Joint Syndrome are: Difficulty twisting and bending the spine: These kinds of movements specifically exasperate the pain, which can make the activities of daily living difficult for you to perform.

Pain and inflammation : The most commonly affected areas for pain and inflammation are your lower back and neck. Numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness: These occur when the edges of one of your facet joints rub on a nerve, which can also be very painful. Unsurprisingly, this also becomes very painful. Tenderness of certain areas of the spine: Occurs in response to inflammation in the nerves and muscles surrounding your facet joints. Neck pain and stiffness, such as might force you to turn your entire body to look at something, may indicate Cervical Facet Joint Syndrome.

Pain near the middle of your back may indicate Thoracic Facet Joint Syndrome. Joint hypertrophy is less common in the thoracic spine due to the natural rigidity of the vertebrae. Low back pain and stiffness, such as might make it difficult to stand up from a chair or straighten your back, may indicate Lumbar Facet Joint Syndrome. Spinal stenosis can also occur in these areas, which narrows the spaces within your spine.

This puts pressure on the nerves that travel through your spine to the rest of your body. Minimally-invasive treatment options may include: Facet Joint Injections: This procedure injects a corticosteroid into the affected joint which reduces pain and inflammation. These injections may also be used as part of the diagnostic process for additional treatments.