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Anatomy & Background
The neck or cervical spine can be divided into three separate areas, each of which performs a different function due to the orientation of the joints between the vertebral. The upper cervical spine (C1,C2) are primarily built for rotation. The middle and lower cervical spine (C3-C7) are responsible for flexing, extension, side bending and remaining rotation or turning.
The greatest amount of movement occurs at cervical vertebra C5-C6, but the levels of C4-C5 and C6-C7 have almost as much. This movement produces more stress on these areas of the spine, thus the greatest amount of degeneration of the cervical spine occurs here.
Spinal and Facet Joints
Aside from the upper cervical spine (C1,C2 ) all other cervical vertebral levels consist of three joints. There is one joint consisting of the intervertebral discs which connect the bodies of the vertebra. There are also two posterior and lateral joints with one on each side called facet joints. The facet joints provide support, stability and facilitate motion of the cervical spine.
Facet joints are synovial joints, which have a smooth shiny contact surfaces called articular cartilage. The articular cartilage allows the bones to slide freely over each other with reduced friction and stress. Each joint is also surrounded by a protective sleeve called a capsule, and is lubricated by synovial fluid. The facet joints can become irritated and inflamed producing pain and dysfunction.
Common conditions of the facet joints include spondylosis, osteoarthritis of the spine, facet joint inflammation, degenerative joint disease of the spine and facet arthropathy.
Read more info: https://redefinehealthcare.com/cervical-degenerative-joint-disease/
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Redefine Healthcare
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Edison, NJ 08837
(732) 906-9600
https://redefinehealthcare.com
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