Facet disease and its risk factors will never be 100 percent avoidable, yet being educated can still help you manage this condition and mitigate its severity. Even if you’re not suffering from facet disease, knowing the causes behind it can potentially help you avoid dealing with such problems in the future. Facet joints are the hinges that connect adjacent vertebrae and help maintain spinal mobility and stability. Facet disease occurs when there is a degeneration of the cartilage in these joints. Much like any other joint in your body, when the cartilage in a facet joint degenerates due to overuse, injury, or aging, it can result in pain, stiffness, and other debilitating symptoms.
What Might Put You at Risk for Facet Disease?
The degeneration of the cartilage in your facet joints over time is natural, but there are additional risk factors that can facilitate the onset of facet disease, including:
- General wear and tear
- Obesity
- Improper lifting
- Poor resting positions
- Genetics
- Age
- Smoking
- Spondylolisthesis
- A weakened immune system
- Traumatic bone fractures
- Poor posture
- Overuse (i.e., a job that requires a lot of standing and lifting; or participating in a lot of high-impact athletic activities)
Treatment Options
If you are dealing with the pain and stiffness that accompany facet disease, there are a variety of treatment options available, including:
- Braces and supportive pillows
- Chiropractic treatments
- Hot and cold therapy
- Physical therapy
- Getting plenty of rest
- Exercise routines
- Pain medications
Contact Laser Spine Institute today if you’d like more information on facet disease, its risk factors, prevention techniques, and treatment options. We’ll be happy to provide you with valuable information and a free review your CT scan or MRI.
