Thoracic Facet Syndrome

Thoracic facet syndrome is a degenerative spinal condition that causes the thoracic facet joints of the spine to deteriorate, making them painful and stiff. If left untreated in a timely and proper manner, it can lead to complications and persistent pain, limiting your activities. Seek the advice of experienced, board-certified pain management doctors at New York Pain Care, where you will receive an individualized diagnosis and proper treatment.

What Is Thoracic Facet Syndrome?

The facet joints are located at the back of the spine. They connect and provide stability to the vertebrae. Thoracic facet joint syndrome, or thoracic facet joint syndrome, occurs when the facet joints in the thoracic (middle) spine become inflamed or irritated. This condition is usually associated with aging, as wear and tear eat away at the cartilage and cause inflammation. But it can also occur for other reasons.

What Causes Thoracic Facet Syndrome?

Facet joints are synovial joints that provide structural stability to the vertebrae in your spine. Over time, due to aging, spinal wear and tear, trauma, overuse, and various diseases, the cartilage in facet joints can degrade. When this happens, you begin to experience pain and other symptoms.

The most common causes of thoracic facet syndrome include:

• Degenerative disc disease due to general wear and tear that occurs with age
• Repetitive stress injuries caused by improper heavy lifting
• Chronic scoliosis leads to increased wear and tear of the facet joints
• Backward movements leading to facet joint compression and arthritic changes
• Spinal injury due to a fall, car accident, or sports injury
• Instability at the joint level that causes ligament damage
• Genetic factors

Facet arthritis is often diagnosed by injecting a small amount of radiopaque, local anesthetic, and a corticosteroid into the joint. If the pain disappears after this injection, the diagnosis of facet arthritis is confirmed.

How to Treat Thoracic Facet Syndrome?

Treatment of thoracic facet syndrome includes various approaches aimed at reducing pain and improving spinal function. In most cases, symptoms can be managed with conservative treatment, such as pain medication, exercise, and corticosteroid injections, which can reduce inflammation and provide temporary pain relief. In extreme cases, when other methods are ineffective, surgery is considered to reduce pain.

Seek treatment and prevention of facet syndrome from New York Pain Care professionals. Our professional pain management doctors will develop an individualized treatment plan for each patient, considering their condition and the causes of the disease.

New York Pain Care
20 Squadron Blvd, Suite 290
New City, NY 10956
(212) 242-8160