What is Facet Syndrome
Facet syndrome is a condition in which joints (facet joints) that connect the bones of the spine (vertebrae) become damaged. Facet joints help the spine move, and they usually wear down (degenerate) or become inflamed as you age.
This can cause pain and stiffness in the neck (cervical facet syndrome) or in the lower back (lumbar facet syndrome).
When a facet joint becomes damaged, a vertebra may slip forward, out of its normal place in the spine. Damage to a facet joint can also damage nerves near the spine, which can cause tingling or weakness in the arms or legs.
Facet syndrome can make it difficult to turn the head or bend backward without pain. This condition typically gets worse over time.
What are the causes?
Common causes of this condition include:
- Age-related inflammation of the facet joints (arthritis) that may create extra bone on the joint surface (bone spurs).
- Age-related decrease in space between the vertebrae (disk degeneration andcartilage degeneration).
- Repetitive stress on the spine, such as repetitive twisting of the back.
- Injury (trauma) to the back or neck.
What increases the risk?
The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:
- Playing contact sports.
- Doing activities or sports that involve repetitive twisting motions or repetitive heavy lifting.
- Having poor back strength and flexibility.
- Having another back or spine condition, such as scoliosis.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of facet syndrome may include:
- An ache in the neck or lower back. This may get worse when you twist or arch your back, or when you look up.
- Stiffness in the neck or lower back.
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs.
Symptoms of cervical facet syndrome may include:
- Headache.
- Pain at the back of the head.
- Pain in the shoulder blades.
Symptoms of lumbar facet syndrome may include pain in any of the following areas:
- Groin.
- Thighs.
- Lower back.
- Buttocks.
- Hips.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition may be diagnosed based on:
- Your symptoms.
- Your medical history.
- A physical exam.
- Imaging
tests, such as:
- X-rays.
- MRI.
- A procedure in which medicines to numb the area (local anesthetic) and medicines to reduce inflammation (steroids) are injected into your affected joint (facet joint block).
How is this treated?
Treatment for this condition may include:
- Stopping or modifying activities that make your condition worse.
- Medicines that help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Steroid injections to help reduce severe pain.
- Physical therapy.
- Radiofrequency ablation. This is a surgical procedure that uses high-frequency radio waves to block signals from affected nerves.
- Surgery to stabilize your spine or to take pressure off your nerves. This is rare.
Follow these instructions at home:
Activity
- Rest your neck and back as told by your health care provider.
- Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
- If physical therapy was prescribed, do exercises as told by your health care provider.
General instructions
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- Do notdrive or operate heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicines.
- Do notuse any tobacco products, such as cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes. Tobacco can delay bone healing. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
- Use good posture throughout your daily activities. Good posture means that your spine is in its natural S-curve position (your spine is neutral), your shoulders are pulled back slightly, and your head is not forward.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You have symptoms that get worse or do not improve in 2–4 weeks of treatment.
- You have numbness or weakness in any part of your body.
- You lose control over your bladder or bowel function.
