Facet Syndrome

Facet syndrome, or facet disease, is a type of osteoarthritis that affects the vertebral facet joints in the spinal column. The facet joints are responsible for interlocking adjacent vertebrae and stabilizing the spine, while allowing for limited flexion and extension. The facet joints, like all other joints in the body, are susceptible to arthritis, which most commonly occurs as a result of natural wear and tear on the joint. In many cases, facet syndrome leads to significant back or neck pain that requires medical attention to treat. While environmental factors like smoking, obesity, and participating in certain activities can increase the chances of developing facet syndrome, in many cases the condition cannot be avoided.

The Facet Joints

The vertebrae in the back and neck are connected at facet joints that are coated in cartilage and encapsulated in synovial fluid. Over the years, the cartilage in the joints can begin to wear away, eventually resulting in bone-on-bone friction. Facet syndrome indicates the presence of joint degradation, tissue inflammation, and the formation of osteophytes (bone spurs). This condition can present at any level of the spine, but is most commonly exhibited in the flexible cervical and lumbar segments in the neck and lower back, respectively.

A number of symptoms can be traced to facet syndrome, including:

• Localized pain at the location of the deteriorated joint
• Traveling pain along a compressed nerve
• Headaches
• Significant stiffness or soreness
• Limited flexibility

Treatment Options

There is no known cure for arthritis, but that’s not to say that those who suffer from facet syndrome have no options available to them. In most cases, if a doctor believes that osteoarthritis is to blame for the patient’s back or neck pain, he or she will recommend a series of conservative, nonsurgical treatments that are designed to mitigate pain. In the event that noninvasive treatments, like pain medication, hot or cold compresses, and exercise, do not prove effective, contact Laser Spine Institute to learn how one of our minimally invasive, outpatient spine procedures may be able to alleviate your symptoms of facet syndrome.