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Which Facet Syndrome Medication Options Are Right for You?

For patients with facet syndrome, medication may prove to be a helpful tool in alleviating pain. Facet syndrome, also known as facet joint disease or spinal arthritis, affects the joints of the spine. The facet joints are located between individual vertebrae and give the spine flexibility, allowing us to bend and twist in several directions. When the cartilage that lines facet joints degenerates, or wears down over time, the vertebral bones may rub together, which can lead to bone spur formation and symptoms of pain, tenderness, stiffness, and inflammation.

Types of Medications

Your doctor may recommend a number of facet syndrome medication options as part of a conservative course of treatment. Typically, conservative (non-invasive) methods are suggested to initially treat symptoms, as non-surgical treatments are often effective enough to alleviate pain. Medications that might be recommended include:

• NSAIDs – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin work to inhibit the body’s enzymes that cause inflammation and pain. They are usually effective in treating mild to moderate pain.
• Opioids – Opioids fall under the class of narcotic drugs, and therefore are stronger and often more effective at treating moderate to severe facet syndrome pain. Types of opioid medications include hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine.
• Facet joint blocks – A facet joint block can be used as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. A block is an injection of anesthetic (numbing) and steroidal (anti-inflammatory) medications directly into a degenerative spinal joint, or near the medial branch nerves that innervate the joint. If pain dissipates immediately after an injection, it can be assumed that the correct joint has been injected. Additional treatment can then be suggested.

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Laser Spine Institute

Sometimes facet syndrome medication cannot sufficiently relieve symptoms associated with the condition after several weeks or months of use. Your doctor may then ask you to consider surgery. As you explore your surgical treatment options, you should keep Laser Spine Institute’s minimally invasive procedures in mind. State-of-the-art endoscopic techniques allow our orthopedic experts to perform these procedures on an outpatient basis. We have helped tens of thousands of people find relief from their back and neck pain. If you’d like to learn more about our procedures, contact Laser Spine Institute to receive a complimentary review of your MRI or CT scan.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.