Thoracic Facet Syndrome

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.

Symptoms of Thoracic Facet Syndrome

Thoracic facet syndrome usually presents with mid-back pain that is generally:

• Localized: The pain is felt exactly where the area is affected.
• Movement-related: The pain worsens when twisting, bending, or arching.
• Stiff: Most noticeable when getting up or after a time of rest.
• Tender: Painful when pressure is placed on the mid-back.

Less common but possible symptoms are referred pain to the chest or abdomen, muscle spasms, and pain on deep breathing. Due to the diversity of symptoms, a medical checkup is needed to confirm a diagnosis.

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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 is Thoracic Facet Syndrome Diagnosed?

Thoracic facet pain evaluation requires a full assessment with consideration of:

• Medical history: A physician will inquire about your pain and activities.
• Physical examination: Assessment of posture, mobility, and tender areas in the mid-back.
• Diagnostic medial branch blocks: Injecting an anesthetic around the facet nerves. If your pain is reduced, the joint is likely the source of the issue.
• Imaging: X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans are used to rule out fractures, disc problems, or nerve issues.

How to Treat Thoracic Facet Syndrome?

The treatment of thoracic facet syndrome includes various approaches to 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 situations where conservative treatments aren’t sufficient to provide adequate and lasting pain relief, more invasive procedures, including surgery, may be considered. Surgery is usually reserved in severe cases as a last option when all other options have been exhausted and the pain significantly impacts the patient’s quality of life.

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, and guiding you towards lasting comfort and improved function.

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New City, NY 10956
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