What it means
Each vertebra connects to the next through a disc at the front and two facet joints at the back. The facets guide and limit movement. Like other joints, facet joints have a smooth cartilage lining that thins with age and use. Reports call it arthropathy when the joints show narrowing, bone spurs, enlargement (facet hypertrophy) or fluid. It is part of normal spine wear and often appears with disc changes.
When it matters
Facet arthropathy is very common and often painless. It can add to back pain, sometimes worse when leaning back or twisting. Doctors look more closely when enlarged joints narrow the nerve openings or canal, or when it comes with a slipped vertebra. A small fluid-filled sac growing from a joint (synovial cyst) also gets attention. If these joints seem to be a pain source, your doctor may suggest a numbing injection to test this.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Could the facet joints be the source of my back pain?
- Are the enlarged joints narrowing any nerve openings?
- Is there fluid or a synovial cyst in any of the joints?
