Facet Joint Syndrome Treatment | Osteoarthritis Doctors Specialists in New York City

What Is Facet Joint Syndrome?

Facet joints (facets) are paired joints that connect the upper and lower processes of adjacent vertebrae of the human spine. The facet joints help limit the movement of the vertebrae and provide stability to the spine.

Inflammation of the facet joints can cause spine arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis or facet joint syndrome. An accurate diagnosis of facet joint syndrome is essential because other back pain conditions cause similar symptoms, so you need to get a proper and accurate diagnosis from a pain management doctor and back pain specialist.

Causes of Facet Joint Syndrome

Pain in the facet joints does not always occur immediately. It may take a specific event to trigger symptoms, such as pain when bending backward or twisting. They can also be mistaken for pain from a herniated disc.

The main cause of this condition is aging, leading to gradual cartilage wear and tear and increased friction. However, other causes can play a role in the development of this condition.

The most common reasons include:

Overload: The facet joints can become overloaded and damaged due to excessive weight bearing or sports activities.
Injuries due to trauma: bumps, falls, or car accidents can damage the facet joints and contribute to the development of the syndrome.
Genetics: The tendency to develop facet joint syndrome may be hereditary.
Other medical conditions such as gout, arthritis, or infection.

The difference between pain in facet joint syndrome and other types of injuries is that it worsens as the spine moves and engages in activities such as lifting, bending, and twisting. If this lasts for more than a week, likely, the pain will not go away on its own, and you need to see a spine specialist.

Treatment for Facet Joint Arthritis

Diagnosis begins with a physical examination to determine the affected area. After that, your doctor may order an X-ray of your back. In the event of any abnormalities, you will be offered a CT scan to get a better look at the surface of the facet joints. These will inform the doctor of the problem areas and extent of damage and help determine the necessary treatment.

Сommon approaches to managing facet joint syndrome include:

Medications, such as OTC pain relievers like acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), to manage mild to moderate pain and inflammation. In some cases, stronger prescription medications or muscle relaxants might be necessary.
Physical therapy, involving a customized exercise program to strengthen the muscles around the spine, improve flexibility, and promote better posture. Your physical therapist may also include manual techniques to relieve pain and restore joint function.
Heat or cold therapy, which entails applying heat packs or ice packs to the affected area for pain relief and inflammation reduction.
Corticosteroid injections can be directly administered into the affected facet joint to temporarily reduce inflammation and provide pain relief.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which uses heat generated by radiofrequency energy to deactivate the nerves that transmit pain signals from the affected facet joint. RFA may be considered in cases of chronic pain that do not respond well to other treatments.
Minimally invasive procedures may be considered in some cases to relieve pressure on the affected nerves or to stabilize the spine.
Lifestyle modifications, such as maintaining a healthy weight, adopting proper posture, and avoiding activities that aggravate the condition.

This physical ailment is usually treated conservatively at first with lots of rest, ice, heat, medication and physical therapy. If all of these methods fail, a facet rhizotomy or bone fusion may be needed to alleviate the symptoms.

If you suffer from severe back pain, our experienced pain management specialists at New York Pain Care can provide you with effective treatment forback pain in New York.

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