Facet Joint Disease

When facet joint disease is at its worst, the symptoms are closely similar to those of a herniated disc, a fracture, an acute infection or a muscle tear in the spine. Sometimes, facet joint disease symptoms mimic those of a lower back problem or an acute intra-abdominal problem.

However, conditions affecting the abdomen may imitate facet joint disease of the lumbar area. Conditions affecting the neck may imitate facet joint disease of the cervical area. Please note that arthritis can also cause facet joint pain. This condition should also be examined.

When it comes to spine facet joint pain, correct diagnosis is essential. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the specific symptoms of this condition:

• Severe episodes of pain caused by facet joint disease damage are usually intermittent and generally occur only a few times in a month or a year.
• Most patients with facet degenerative joint disease will experience persisting tenderness in the affected region with some loss of muscle flexibility.
• Generally, there will be much more discomfort when you lean backward than when you lean forward.
• Pain from facet joint disease in the lower back area often radiates into the buttocks region and down the back part of the leg. Not to be confused with pain from disc tears and degeneration, which often radiates down the front part of the leg.
• Facet joint pain in the cervical area often radiates into the back of the shoulders, and rarely in front of the shoulders or down the arm.

A personalized treatment plan for facet joint disease begins with a thorough medical exam to determine the underlying cause of the condition. In cases where a spine examination is inconclusive, diagnostic facet joint injections may be used to confirm that you have facet joint disease. Facet joint injections use a numbing medication injected into the joint space. When facet joint disease is the cause of the pain, the diagnostic injection will result in immediate relief of your pain and discomfort.

Once diagnosed, conservative treatments such as physical therapy, strengthening exercises, anti-inflammatory medications, and injections to reduce inflammation may be recommended. When conservative methods fail, NJ Spine & Orthopedic recommends a minimally invasive treatment called facet fusion, which fuses the pain-causing joints together to relieve pain.

Facet joint disease can have a significant effect on your life by causing pain and discomfort with even minor movement and activity. If left untreated, the condition will become worse and can even result in additional stress and strain on other joints or muscles as the body tries to adjust.

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