Question 1

my mri showed inflammation and fluid in the facet joints at l4 & l5.   so what exactly causes that and what can i do about it?  i'm in severe pain!

Accepted Answer

Facet arthropathy: The spine is just a bunch of joints stacked on top of each other. It can get arthritis just like your knees or hands. Fluid can build up in the facet joints in a similar fashion, sometimes even causing a cyst to form ("synovial cyst"). I would consider meeting a pain management doctor to see if injections in the facets can help.

Question 2

my mri study reveals diffusely bulging discs at l4-l5, l5-s1 level. fluid signal intensity at above facet joints, due to facetal arthropathy please explain?

Accepted Answer

Need to see images: Need to see images in order to assess disc herniations.  Would need to see if there is mass effect on traversing or exiting nerve roots.   Facet hypertrophy is an ongoing degenerative process, however with changes of synoivitis, fluid in the facet joints can be symptomatic as well.

Question 3

where are facet joints in the body?

Accepted Answer

See below: The facet joints are cartilage covered joints that link one vertebrae with another. They guide the motion of the spine. With age they do get more arthritic but do not always cause pain. Pain from facet joints is usually achy and can certainly radiate down into the leg. Usually the pain from facet joints goes into the buttocks, back of the thigh and sometimes to the upper calf. Worse with standing.

Question 4

what is the definition or description of: facet joints?

Accepted Answer

Facet joints: Articulating, encapsulated surfaces between 2 vertebral bodies.

Question 5

possilbe pain relief for facet joints?

Accepted Answer

See below: The first thing that i usually recommend is physical therapy. This helps in about 6-7/10 cases. When this does not help, there are various interventional procedures for facet joint pain. One is called medial branch radiofrequency treatment which treats the nerves to these joints. They can often provide relief for a year or more but i still like to see people be consistent with exercise.

Question 6

can you tell me what are cervical facet joints?

Accepted Answer

Sure: I think of them a the knuckle joints of the spine two facet joints and one disc make up a spinal motion segment they sre the joints that connect the spine bones together unique at every level they allow motion and control motion at each of the 27 spinal levels they can become arthritc and be a cause of back or neckpain.

Question 7

what is advanced hypertrophic change of the facet joints?

Accepted Answer

Degenerative change: Of joints connecting your spinal vertebrae most likely due to osteoarthritis. Something you've been doing has lead to this, since you're only 36.

Question 8

why will my strained facet joints not heal? it's been 4 months

Accepted Answer

Dont know: This cannot be answered without knowing your history and doing a comprehensive examination.  Get a 2nd opinion.

Question 9

can you tell me what kind of joints are vertebral facet joints?

Accepted Answer

Small spine joints: These are situated  in the back part of the spine with 2 at each level of the spine allowing for load bearing and motion to certain degrees. They are true joints just like in your arms and legs and can get the same problems. They have a joint membrane lining and joint fluid with cartilage lining.

Question 10

is prp injections for lower back (facet joints and si) a safe alternative to take?

Accepted Answer

Yes: PRP is very safe, and can be very effective.

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Doctor answers about:

Fluid in facet joints

A member asked:

My mri showed inflammation and fluid in the facet joints at l4 & l5. so what exactly causes that and what can i do about it? i'm in severe pain!

A member asked:

My mri study reveals diffusely bulging discs at l4-l5, l5-s1 level. fluid signal intensity at above facet joints, due to facetal arthropathy please explain?

A member asked:

Where are facet joints in the body?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: facet joints?

A member asked:

Possilbe pain relief for facet joints?

A member asked:

Can you tell me what are cervical facet joints?

A member asked:

What is advanced hypertrophic change of the facet joints?

A member asked:

Why will my strained facet joints not heal? it's been 4 months

A member asked:

Can you tell me what kind of joints are vertebral facet joints?

A member asked:

Is prp injections for lower back (facet joints and si) a safe alternative to take?

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