What is an activated facet syndrome? | Facet syndrome

What is an activated facet syndrome?

An activated facet syndrome is an acute inflammation in the area of the small vertebral body joints (facet joints) at the base of an existing facet syndrome, which leads to an acute onset of pain. An activated facet syndrome is thus a facet irritation. This can also be called facet arthritis or activated facet arthrosis.

Localization of a facet syndrome

An enormously large proportion of adult people in Germany suffer from chronic back pain. The generic term “lumbar spine syndrome” covers a number of diseases that cause such pain. The facet syndrome is a common underlying disease that causes a lumbar spine syndrome.

Several factors are responsible for the wear and tear of the facet joints. Nowadays, most people carry out long periods of sedentary work. The back muscles, which significantly stabilize the spine, are too weak in the majority of adults.

In addition, there are harmful, incorrect movements, for example when lifting. Heavy lifting from the back puts enormous strain on the spine and especially on the intervertebral discs. The lumbar spine is particularly often affected, since large parts of the body weight are placed on it.

For this reason, excess weight is an additional risk factor. In addition, the lumbar spine has a significantly higher degree of mobility than the thoracic spine, which is severely restricted in its possibilities by the ribs. In the facet syndrome of the lumbar spine, the origin of wear and tear is often to be found in the intervertebral discs.Due to their loss of height, the intervertebral joints lie closer together, which leads to increased wear with every movement.

In addition, the joint surfaces and joint capsules can become inflamed and cause considerable pain. In the area of the lumbar spine, various nerves emerge from the spinal cord, which supply the legs, feet and groin region with sensitive and motoric energy. In the course of a facet syndrome, the pain in the area of these nerve cords can be passed on.

The cervical spine is affected by a facet syndrome much less frequently than the lumbar spine, but more frequently than the thoracic spine. This is due to the fact that the cervical spine, as a very flexible, mobile part of the spine, performs many everyday tasks, but is exposed to a lower pressure and weight load than the lumbar spine. When the painful facet syndrome occurs, however, the symptoms are all the more troublesome in everyday life.

In addition to permanent neck pain, the back of the head, shoulders and shoulder blades also become noticeable. If the pain is transmitted, it can radiate into the fingers. An upright posture and strong neck muscles are important factors in preventing a facet syndrome of the cervical spine.

For mild pain, even warmth, for example by wearing a scarf, can provide relief. The treatment of facet syndrome of the cervical spine should generally be handled with care, since there are many vital structures in the neck in a small space. Manual interventions and vigorous exercises can even be life-threatening if the cervical spine is damaged.

The thoracic spine is only very rarely affected by facet syndrome. The rigid thorax with its ribs restricts the mobility of the thoracic spine as much as possible. Even when lifting heavy loads, only the lumbar spine is affected to a large extent.

The facet syndrome in BWS is mainly manifested by pressure loads on the upper back. For example, when lying down, this pain may become noticeable for the first time. The pain can also be provoked when the chest muscles are tensed or when the shoulder blades contract.

In rare cases, the pain can be transmitted along the ribs to the sternum. If the facet syndrome is present at the transition to the cervical spine, shoulders and arms may also be affected. The facet syndrome occurs significantly more frequently in the lumbar spine (lumbar spine) and more frequently in the thoracic spine (thoracic spine).

It occurs in the cervical spine as well as in the thoracic spine due to increasing wear and tear of the small vertebral body joints (facet joints). This wear and tear is known as arthrosis. Characteristic for a facet syndrome in the cervical spine is neck pain that can radiate towards the head, shoulder or arms.

The pain can depend on posture and often increases during the course of the day. The mobility of the head may also be restricted. Characteristic for a facet syndrome of the lumbar spine are pains in the area of the cross, which can radiate into the buttocks and legs.

Often the pain also increases during the course of the day due to physical exertion. Characteristic for a facet syndrome of the lumbar spine are pains in the area of the cross, which can radiate into the buttocks and legs. Often, the pain also increases during the course of the day due to physical exertion.

A facet syndrome in the area of the thoracic spine (BWS) is very rare. It occurs less frequently here because the mobility of the thoracic spine is severely restricted by the ribs and rib cage and the wear and tear of the small vertebral joints (arthrosis) is less than in the cervical or lumbar spine. If a facet syndrome occurs in the area of the thorax, patients often feel pain at chest level.

This pain can increase when lying down. The most frequent location of a facet syndrome is at the transition from the lumbar spine to the sacral part (L5/S1). This is due to the heavy physical strain in this area caused by body weight as well as physical strain caused by lifting and carrying heavy objects. Of course, other causes can also be at the root of facet syndrome.