Facet joint

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The facet joints , (or zygapophysial joints , zygapophyseal , apophyseal , or Z-joint ) is a set of synovial, joint fields between the articular processes of two adjacent vertebrae. There are two facet joints in each segment of the spine movement and each facet joint is innervated by the recurrent meningeal nerve.

The biomechanical function of each pair of facet joints is to guide and limit the movement of the spinal movement segments. In the lumbar spine, for example, the facet joint serves to protect the movement segments of the anterior shear force, rotation and over flexion. Facet connections seem to have little effect on the flexural side range (lateral flexion). These functions can be disrupted by degeneration, dislocation, fracture, injury, instability from trauma, osteoarthritis, and surgery. In the thoracic spine, the facet joint serves to withstand the amount of anterior flexion and translation of the vertebral segment and the function to facilitate rotation. Cavitation of synovial fluid in the facet joint is responsible for the popping sound (crepitus) associated with manual spinal manipulation, often referred to as "cracking the back."

Facet, superior and inferior connections, are parallel to ways to allow flexion and extension, and to limit rotation. This is especially true of the lumbar spine.

Video Facet joint

Arthritis sendi facet

Mostly because of the mechanical properties of their function, all joints undergo degenerative changes with age wear. This is especially true for the joints in the spine, and especially facet joints. This is commonly known as facet joint arthritis or facet arthropathy .

Diagnosis

Facet joint arthritis often manifests as dull pain in the back. However, as many internal organs can be experienced by patients in various patterns of referral pain. The location of the facet joint, far behind and covered with large tracts of paraspinal muscle, further complicates the diagnostic approach. Usually facet joint arthritis is diagnosed with a special physical examination by a specialist. Advanced imaging such as MRI or CT may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions.

Treatment

Conservative treatment of facet joint arthritis involves chiropractic, physical therapy, or osteopathic drugs with posture and biomechanical correction being the key. A further case involves a severe inflammatory response to the Z-joint, unlike a swollen arthritic knee. Steroid injections may relieve temporary pain. This is usually done under the image guide to ensure accuracy considering complex shapes and deep locations in terms of.