Have you ever leaned backward and felt an abrupt "OUCH!" in your lower back? Or are you staring at the spiderweb in the corner when your right shoulder starts hurting? These could be signs of facet joint arthritis, another name for spine osteoarthritis.
Although its symptoms may not appear immediately, osteoarthritis most frequently starts in middle age. It wears and tears down gradually. Knees, elbows, and knuckles are examples of joints—the locations where the ends of two bones connect.
The most prevalent kind of joint is a synovial joint. A miniature capsule of lubricant known as synovial fluid touches the cartilage layer on each end of the bone, mainly decreasing friction during movement. If you've been encountering pain in the back, contact an orthopedic back specialist today.
The synovial joints of the spine
Facet joints are unlikely to be on your list of three bodily joints if someone asks you to name them. This is because most people are unaware of them. Spinal joints are visible, but knee joints are not. That stack of spinal bones known as vertebrae makes sense, considering how you can twist, bend, and flex.
The facet joints on the back of the lumbar and cervical spines are the most flexible in the back of the vertebrae. Try it out. Rotate your head in different directions. Roll it around now. Raise your arms over your head and extend them while bending left and right in your chair. For more information, consult Back Center New Jersey.
Synovial joint osteoarthritis
The cartilage between our facet bones may deteriorate and become more brittle with age, allowing small pieces to break off and enter the synovial fluid. This irritates and discomforts the capsule by inflaming it. The cartilage thickens and swells due to increased friction from the rubbing of bone on bone as cartilage erosion continues.
Osteoarthritis of the Facet Joint Symptoms
Osteoarthritis of the facet joints rarely manifests as acute pain at first since the disease progresses gradually over time. Most people will likely dismiss sporadic lower back or neck/shoulder discomfort. Indeed, injuries, abrupt, foolish movements, and lousy posture are frequently the causes of intermittent back pain, which usually goes away on its own. Back Center offers a wide range of therapy options; find out which is most suitable for you.
The following symptoms could indicate facet joint arthritis:
- In its early phases, acute neck or lower back discomfort might occur several times a year without warning and is unrelated to an accident.
- Touch or pressure sensitivity may be present in the soft tissue surrounding the painful location. This results from the ligaments or muscles attempting to compensate for the discomfort. The muscles become tight and strained as they "guard," or respond, to painful action.
- Facet joint degeneration in the lumbar spine compresses the nerves that travel from the spinal cord externally through the joints and down the back of the legs.
- Facet joint arthritis in the cervical spine strains the nerves that supply the upper back and shoulders. Sharp discomfort could be an indication of facet joint arthritis.
- Because it compresses the back joints of the spine, bending backward hurts more than bending forward.
Concluding the discussion
If your back pain reappears after you believe it has been "cured," see a doctor for proper back treatments. Numerous strategies can reduce pain and decrease the progression of osteoarthritis. See a back pain expert if you experience any symptoms, as supportive therapies may no longer be effective if the arthritis has progressed to that stage.
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