A Quick Look At Facet Syndrome

Back pain is a very common medical complaint. Facet syndrome is frequently a cause of such pain, particularly in people over 50 years old. It is a chronic disease that is also called facet disease or facet joint syndrome. We are going to take a look at the symptoms and root cause of this disease.

Two facet joints are present on each vertebra. They connect the vertebrae together. They allow for a moderate amount of spinal twisting and bending. When they are healthy, cartilage cushions are present in the joint. This cartilage protects the joints during normal spinal movements. Due to injury or deterioration or wearing away with age, it may no longer provide effective protection. When this happens, the bones of the joints rub together, which is painful. Also, the spine may be out of alignment. This may be caused by injury or poor posture. Bad alignment causes stress to the facets and this causes pain.

Facet problems are typically located either in the neck or in the lower back. Lower back facet problems cause pain in the lower back, the buttocks, or the back of the thighs. They can also make some movements such as rising out of a chair difficult. Neck problems can cause neck and shoulder pain, headaches, and problems moving the head. Both forms can cause general stiffness.

Since other conditions such as injuries can cause symptoms similar to facet syndrome, they must be eliminated as part of the diagnostic process. X rays or MRI scans will usually find other possible causes for the symptoms. If these are negative, a facet joint block may be performed. This applies a temporary anaesthetic to the appropriate facet joints. If this reduces the symptoms, then we have our diagnosis.

Treatment usually begins with exercise and physical therapy. Posture correction may also be indicated. These will often eliminate or reduce the symptoms. If the symptoms are still a problem after this, radiofrequency rhizotomy may be used. This is a form of surgery that uses a local application of electricity to kill the nerves in the facet joints that are causing problems.

These are the basic facts on facet syndrome. It is a serious condition, but it is also not difficult to treat in most cases. Surgery is available as a last resort.

How much do you really know about facet syndrome? Facet syndrome is a serious back injury and could cause lots of pain if not treated properly. To gather more information on facet syndrome and learn of possible treatment options, visit the CDI website at www.CaliforniaDiscInstitute.com