Facet Joint Syndrome: What Symptoms Should I Look Out For?

Facet joint syndrome causes inflammation and pain in the tiny joints on the back of your vertebrae. Luckily, you can achieve optimal health and symptom relief with modern treatments. Suppose you seek Eugene facet joint syndrome care, Pacific Sports and Spine experts have all the solutions you need. The interventional pain specialists offer cutting-edge treatments such as facet joint injections and radiofrequency neurotomy for those suffering from facet joint conditions. Make a call or schedule an appointment online.

What is Facet Joint Syndrome?

Facet joint syndrome is a condition that affects the spine and is a prevalent cause of lower backaches. It could also affect the thoracic spine (upper back) and the cervical spine (neck). Facet joints are vertebral joints that enable your spine to bend and twist. Facet joint syndrome occurs when the joints are strained, causing inflammation and pain. Facet joint syndrome symptoms differ depending on which vertebrae are involved.

·         Thoracic Facet Joint Syndrome

Facet joint syndrome in your upper back might limit spinal movement, preventing you from twisting above the waist and making it hard to look left or right.

·         Cervical Facet Joint Syndrome

Facet joint syndrome in the neck can cause shoulder pain, migraines, and difficulties moving your head.

·         Lumbar Facet Joint Syndrome

Facet joint syndrome in the lower back causes pain that can radiate into your buttocks or down your thighs but is worse when you first start moving. It causes stiffness, impairing your ability to stand up straight or rise from a sitting position, and may cause you to walk with a slouchy posture.

What Causes Facet Joint Syndrome?

The wear and tear frequently cause lumbar facet joint syndrome that your spine endures over time. Facet joint degeneration is commonly caused by degenerative disc disease, which affects the delicate, shock-absorbent discs between your vertebrae.

Intervertebral discs contain a high-water content when you are young, but they dry up and become thinner as you age. This loss of disc height changes the positioning of your facet joints, putting them under stress. Joint osteoarthritis intensifies the condition. Cervical and thoracic facet joint syndrome can arise for the same reason but are more typically caused by acute trauma, such as whiplash in a car accident.

Facet Joint Syndrome Treatment

Your Pacific Sports and Spine staff will begin your care with conservative measures. Physical therapy, such as stretching and strengthening exercises and anti-inflammatory medicine, may be used.

These non-invasive treatments may be all that is necessary to alleviate the symptoms of facet joint condition. If your symptoms persist, your doctor may advise you to get spinal injections containing steroids or a local anesthetic, like medial branch blocks and facet joint injections.

Pacific Sports and Spine specialists offer minimally invasive radiofrequency neurotomy and spinal cord stimulation for the most severe symptoms of facet joint disease.

Bottom Line

With the help of the Pacific Sports and Spine experts, you can get rid of back pain caused by facet joint syndrome and improve your overall health. Make a phone call or schedule an appointment online today.