What is a facet joint sprain?

What is a facet joint sprain?

• A. Injury to the ligaments of a facet joint, causing pain, stiffness, and limited spinal movement.
• B. Injury to intervertebral discs.
• C. Injury to spinal nerves.
• D. Degeneration of facet joints only.

Answer: (A)

A facet joint sprain is an injury to the ligaments around a facet joint in the spine. The facet joints are the small joints at the back of each spinal segment that guide motion and stabilize movement. When the ligaments that surround the joint—the facet capsule and supporting ligaments—are stretched or torn, it’s a sprain. This causes localized back pain, muscle spasm, stiffness, and reduced range of motion, especially with movements that extend or twist the spine. It’s different from injuries to the intervertebral discs (the cushions between vertebrae) or from nerve injuries that produce radiating pain, numbness, or weakness. It’s also not simply degeneration, which involves chronic wear-and-tear changes rather than an acute ligament injury.

A facet joint sprain is an injury to the ligaments around a facet joint in the spine. The facet joints are the small joints at the back of each spinal segment that guide motion and stabilize movement. When the ligaments that surround the joint—the facet capsule and supporting ligaments—are stretched or torn, it’s a sprain. This causes localized back pain, muscle spasm, stiffness, and reduced range of motion, especially with movements that extend or twist the spine. It’s different from injuries to the intervertebral discs (the cushions between vertebrae) or from nerve injuries that produce radiating pain, numbness, or weakness. It’s also not simply degeneration, which involves chronic wear-and-tear changes rather than an acute ligament injury.