PA / Honesdale / Wayne Memorial Hospital Directory of Hospitals Â· Directory of Health Systems Physicians by Name: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Â· Physicians by State
The facet joints glide and allow the spine to move freely with support. Facet arthrosis is degeneration or wear and tear of the facet joints. Severe facet arthrosis would be advanced degeneration, possibly with arthritis or bone spurs. This might cause pain, and/or cause stiffening of the spine, and/or even put pressure on the spinal nerves or thecal sac (which contains the spinal cord). I've put more information in the links below.
Causes. Facet syndrome can be caused by trauma, such as a whiplash injury of the neck. Abnormal postures can overload spinal tissues, including the facet joints, and cause inflammation and pain in these joints.More commonly, degenerative changes in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine can lead to abnormal stress and strain. Thoracic facet syndrome is less common than cervical and lumbar facet syndrome and is probably related to restricted motion at these levels due to the rigidity of the thoracic spine.