What Is Facet Arthritis?

Facet joints are located at the back of each vertebral level on both sides of the spinal column.They allow for flexibility of the spine and also provide stability. Facet arthritis occurs when the cartilage that covers the ends of the facet joints breaks down over time, which can lead to bone spurs (osteophytes) or joint enlargement (facet hypertrophy).

Symptoms

Symptoms associated with facet arthritis include the following:

• Pain and stiffness in the spine near the affected joint
• Pain radiating toward the back of the head, ear, or shoulder (facet arthritis in the cervical spine)
• Pain radiating toward the buttock, hip, or thigh (facet arthritis in the lumbar spine)
• Pain that worsens with sudden movements, after periods of inactivity (including sleep), or after prolonged periods of poor posture
• Pain that worsens at night

Causes

Causes of facet arthritis include the following:

• Aging
• Trauma or microtrauma to the area
• Poor posture
• Osteoarthritis
• Repetitive stress to the area

Risk factors

Risk factors that increase the likelihood of facet arthritis include the following:

• Aging
• History of physical trauma
• Poor posture
• History of degenerative arthritis
• Degenerative disc disease