Zygapophyseal Joint Arthropathy
Zygapophyseal joint arthropathy is arthritis affecting the small facet joints of the spine.
When to get help quickly: It is usually not urgent, but prompt review is important if pain is severe after trauma or comes with weakness, numbness, or bladder or bowel symptoms.
Common symptoms
Symptoms often include neck or back pain, stiffness, and pain that gets worse when twisting, bending backward, or standing for long periods.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps show whether the small joints at the back of the spine are worn, inflamed, or contributing to the pattern of spinal pain.
What radiology does
CT and MRI help show joint degeneration, surrounding inflammation, and whether the findings fit the pattern of back pain.
What usually happens next
Treatment may include physiotherapy, pain medicines, injections, lifestyle adjustment, and spine specialist review.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.