Question 1

what does uncovertebral degenerative change mean ?

Accepted Answer

This is a typical : Age related process seen almost universally in the neck or cervical spine where there are small right and left sided uncovertebral joints that develop wear and tear changes with typical disc degeneration at the same level that can sometimes contribute to nerve root compression or a pinched nerve.

Question 2

what does small uncovertebral osteophytes mean?

Accepted Answer

Bone spurs: An osteophyte is just a fancy way to say a bone spur.  The uncinate process is a process that is present in the posterior aspect of the vertebral body in the cervical spine.  A simple way to describe the term is that you have mild arthritis in your neck.  Thank you for the question.

Question 3

what is uncovertebral degeneration?

Accepted Answer

See below: The uncovertebral joints are in the cervical part of the spine which is the neck. They are not true joints with a joint capsule but develop  early in life due to the interaction between the vertebrae above and below.  They typically can show some spurring and can narrow the nerve canals pinching the spinal nerves. Most people who reach middle age have some degree of degree of degeneration.

Question 4

what is uncovertebral joint disease?

Accepted Answer

Bone spurs: Like the mineral deposits that collect over the decades on our plumbing...

http://www.grhealth.org/neuroscience-center/spine/spine-glossary/contentpage.aspx?nd=3369.

Question 5

what are facet/uncovertebral joints?

Accepted Answer

Facet joints or : Zygoapophyseal joints are small joints of the spine which are a right and left pair at all levels of the lumbar &amp; thoracic spine &amp; in the cervical spine except at C1-2 level.they help to stabilize and allow for certain motions of the spine.  Uncovertebral joints develop in the cervical spine only and are paired at each level except C1-2 and are usually present or noted with disc degeneration,

Question 6

what is uncovertebral joint arthropathy?

Accepted Answer

Degenerative change: The uncovertebral joint is an interphase of  adjacent cervical spine vertebrae located in either side and adjacent to the disc space  and opening for the nerve root(neuroforamen). Degenerative changes of this joint is referred to as uncovertebral arthropathy.

Question 7

what does this mean? "disk osteophyte complex and facet/uncovertebral changes"?

Accepted Answer

Degenerative: Basically refers to degenerative (aging) changes of the spine.  Disk/osteophyte refers to bone spur and/or disc protrusion (often can't clearly differentiate between the two), and facet/uncovertebral refers to the joints at the back part (facets) and sides (uncovertebral) of the cervical vertebrae.

Question 8

please explain what does disk osteophyte complex and facet/uncovertebral changes mean?

Accepted Answer

Facet uncovertebral : There are 5 moving parts of each level of the spine--2 facet joints, 2 uncovertebral joints, and disc is the 5th. The joints protect the spine and spinal cord from abnormal motion or translation.  If the facet joint were to fracture or "break", it could lead to damage of the nerves/spinal cord. In everybody, as we age, the joints degenerate and lead to "changes" seen on studies.

Question 9

can someone explain swelling of the uncovertebral joint?

Accepted Answer

This is not your : Typical joint like a knee or elbow joint.  There is not a swelling due to excessive joint fluid but an enlargement of this joint found in the cervical spine due to degenerative changes which may lead to compression on nerve tissue.

Question 10

what kind of symptoms could one expect with swelling of the uncovertebral joint?

Accepted Answer

Check out these: Links. Take care and god bless u!   http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/spinal_bone_spurs/joint_osteophytes/?full. http://www.chiropractic-help.com/uncovertebral-joint-luschka.html.

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Doctor answers about:

Uncovertebral

A member asked:

What does uncovertebral degenerative change mean ?

A member asked:

What does small uncovertebral osteophytes mean?

A member asked:

What is uncovertebral degeneration?

A member asked:

What is uncovertebral joint disease?

A member asked:

What are facet/uncovertebral joints?

A member asked:

What is uncovertebral joint arthropathy?

A member asked:

What does this mean? "disk osteophyte complex and facet/uncovertebral changes"?

A member asked:

Please explain what does disk osteophyte complex and facet/uncovertebral changes mean?

A member asked:

Can someone explain swelling of the uncovertebral joint?

A member asked:

What kind of symptoms could one expect with swelling of the uncovertebral joint?

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