Facet syndrome is a condition where the small joints in your spine, called facet joints, become irritated or inflamed. These joints help your spine move and stay flexible.
Common Causes
- Aging: Wear and tear on the facet joints over time.
- Injury: Sudden injuries or accidents can damage the facet joints.
- Arthritis: Conditions like osteoarthritis can cause the joints to wear down.
- Repetitive movements: Doing the same motion over and over can stress the facet joints.
- Poor posture: Bad posture can put extra pressure on these joints.
Symptoms
- Pain in the back or neck, especially when twisting or bending.
- Stiffness in the spine.
- Tenderness over the affected joints.
- Muscle spasms.
Diagnostic Tests
- Physical exam: The doctor checks for pain, range of motion, and tenderness.
- X-rays: Pictures of the spine to see the joints and check for arthritis or injury.
- MRI or CT scan: Detailed images of the spine to see the joints and surrounding tissues.
- Facet joint injections: An injection into the joint to see if it relieves the pain, helping to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment Options
Non-Surgical:
- Rest: Avoid activities that worsen the pain.
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medications.
- Physical therapy: Exercises to strengthen back muscles and improve flexibility.
- Chiropractic care: Manual adjustments to improve spine alignment.
- Injections: Steroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain or regenerative medicine injections to repair damage.
- Facet rhizotomy: Burning the nerve endings in the facet joints to stop pain signals.
Surgical:
- Facet fusion: Joining the affected joints to stabilize the spine (less common).
- Facetectomy: Removal of a facet joint, which is most often performed as part of a larger spine surgery.
- Spinal fusion: Joining two vertebrae to stabilize the spine if instability is the cause of facet syndrome.
- Facet joint replacement: Replacing a degenerative facet joint with an artificial implant.
Common Conditions That Can Cause Similar Symptoms
- Herniated disc: When the inner part of the disc pushes out through a tear in the outer ring.
- Degenerative disc disease: When discs break down due to aging or injury.
- Spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spaces within the spine, putting pressure on the nerves.
- Sciatica: Pain that travels along the sciatic nerve from the lower back down the legs.
When to See the Doctor
- If you have persistent back or neck pain that doesn’t get better with rest.
- If you experience pain that radiates to your buttocks, thighs, or arms.
- If the pain interferes with your daily activities or sleep.
What to Ask the Doctor
- What is causing my pain?
- What treatment options are available?
- How long will it take to recover?
- What are the risks and benefits of surgery?
- How can I prevent further injury?
Home Remedies for Mild Symptoms
- Exercise: Gentle exercises can help strengthen back muscles.
- Stretching: Regular stretching can relieve muscle tension.
- Pain relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with pain.
- Proper posture: Maintain good posture to reduce muscle strain.
- Heat or ice therapy: Applying heat or ice can reduce pain and swelling.
Understanding facet syndrome can help you know when to seek medical advice and what questions to ask your doctor. Early detection and treatment can prevent the condition from getting worse and help you maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.
