Facet Joint Syndrome Conditions

What is Facet Joint Syndrome?

Facet joint syndrome, or facet arthropathy, is a condition of the spine that can result in serious back and neck pain. It is an arthritis-like condition in which the facet joints experience wear and tear over time that cause a breakdown in cartilage and inflammation that causes pain signals to be triggered in the nerve endings. In some cases, bone spurs can form. This painful condition can cause muscle spasms, limited mobility, and may be either periodic or chronic in nature.

What Causes this condition?

Facet joints are located in the spine, where they link vertebrae together and provide support, mobility, and stability. When operating properly, they enable spinal flexibility, including twisting and extension movements. These joints are like other joints in the body, containing cartilage that can become thin and worn as you age. In addition, your joints can be negatively impacted by physical injury and various repetitive motions.

In some cases, discs in the vertebrae can experience degeneration, resulting in subtle shifts in body weight that put even more pressure on the facet joints. That added pressure can cause further deterioration in the cartilage.

What Are the Symptoms of Facet Joint Syndrome?

Problems with the facet joints can afflict both men and women, and often occur in patients who are vulnerable to arthritic symptoms. It can also occur in patients who have suffered an injury in the spine. Patients who experience this joint deterioration can be as young as 40 or as old as 70.

In many instances, the syndrome is painless until the body experiences an event that causes pain symptoms. While many of those symptoms can also be indicative of other back and pain conditions, the following signs could point to problems with the facet joints:

• Pain is typically a dull ache in the region between the small of the back and the buttocks or between the shoulders and back of the head in the neck.
• The pain is often heightened by certain movements, like bending or twisting toward the affected joint.
• Discomfort can often be reduced by leaning, sitting, or otherwise changing positions.
• Prolonged inactivity or standing in one place can increase discomfort.
• When bone spurs have formed, the pain can spread to either the arms or legs.

How We Can Help

If you are experiencing symptoms that could indicate any type of facet joint condition, we can help with targeted osteopathic care to reduce pain, increase mobility, and improve your quality of life. Treatment can include a range of osteopathic techniques to reduce stress to the joints, eliminate pain, and restore lost function.