Facet Disease Definition

You may be surprised to learn that if you are one of the many people who suffer from facet disease, simply knowing the definition can be a powerful tool toward recovery. Facet disease is a degenerative condition that develops over time and affects the facet joints. Facet joints are located between vertebrae; actually, the anatomy of each vertebra creates a hinge-like joint with the vertebra above and below. This connection allows the vertebrae to move easily in various directions, in conjunction with each other. Cartilage and synovial fluid lubricate and pad the joints, and facet disease sets in when the cartilage begins to wear away.

Symptoms of Facet Disease

As the cartilage surrounding the facet joints becomes dry, brittle, and worn, joint movement can become quite difficult. Bone spurs, or osteophytes, are a common result of facet disease. Bone spurs are extra nodules of bone (most often appearing on the lamina, which is the thin, bony “roof” over the spinal cord) that your body produces as a way to reinforce a weakened spine. However, instead of strengthening the spine, bone spurs can interfere with neural activity and cause painful compression of the spinal nerves. Symptoms may include the following:

• Loss of flexibility
• Loss of mobility
• Throbbing
• Spontaneous joint lockage
• Painful feeling of bone grinding against bone, also called “crepitus”

Treating Facet Disease

When you visit your primary care physician for more information about facet disease and its definition, he or she will most likely do a full physical exam, give you a referral for an MRI or CT scan, and will then ask you a series of questions about the location, frequency, and severity of your pain. If your doctor does diagnose you with facet disease, you should work together to create a conservative treatment plan that works for you. This can include anything from yoga to over-the-counter pain medication, deep breathing to steroid injections.

How Laser Spine Institute Can Help

If a conservative treatment plan does not effectively relieve your discomfort and spine surgery becomes an option, contact Laser Spine Institute. We offer minimally invasive, outpatient alternatives to traditional open spine surgery. Rediscover your life without back pain by taking advantage of our free review of your MRI or CT scan.