Facet Syndrome, also known as facet joint osteoarthritis, is a common condition characterized by pain and stiffness in the joints of the spine. It can significantly impact your quality of life, limiting your mobility and causing chronic discomfort. At Boev Clinic, we understand the challenges you face, and our specialized approach to treatment aims to address the underlying causes of your condition.
With our state-of-the-art facility and a team of highly skilled specialists, we offer care tailored to your unique needs. Our expert physicians combine their extensive knowledge with advanced techniques to accurately assess your condition and develop a personalized treatment plan that suits you best. Call our pain and spine center in Rochester, NY at (585) 342-2638 to schedule an appointment.
What is Facet Syndrome?
In your spine, the joints connecting each of your vertebrae are known as facet joints (zygapophyseal or apophyseal joints).The function of this joint is to provide normal flexion and extension range of motion to the spine. Along with the intervertebral disc, they provide stability for each motion segment. The disc functions as a spacer or cushion to support motion between the vertebral bodies. This forms a tripod relationship between the intervertebral disc and the facet joint. Degeneration or damage to one affects the other. The effects of aging and/or traumatic injury can damage the facet joints and is the leading cause of back pain known as facet joint syndrome.
Facet syndrome can result from expected wear and tear as a person matures in age, and can be exacerbated through intense movements or repeated strain on the spine. Many individuals will receive a diagnosis of facet syndrome after discussing their medical history and symptoms with their provider at Boev Clinic. Imaging tests may also be ordered to obtain a clear visual of the spine to determine the severity of the degeneration.
Facet Syndrome Treatments from Boev Clinic
Spine fusion surgery to treat facet joint dysfunction is rarely advised. Surgery is not considered an effective treatment for facet syndrome, and should be considered as a final option rather than a primary one. Conservative care options including chiropractic care can alleviate symptoms of facet joint dysfunction. Axial flexion distraction technique provided by our clinic helps take pressure off the spine to promote healing and proper range of motion. Pain management injections are another option to consider to decrease inflammation and regain normal function.
Lifestyle Changes
Individuals can reduce and prevent pain caused by facet syndrome by adopting a few simple habits in their everyday lives, including:
- Using correct posture: Keeping the spine properly aligned is a great start to avoid further degenerative changes caused by facet syndrome.
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese puts an intense amount of pressure on the body. Excess weight can alter the natural curve of your spine, putting extra pressure on the discs and facet joints between vertebrae causing them to become dysfunctional.
- Applying heat or ice to the area: Utilizing a hot or cold compress can help to reduce inflammation as well as dull any pain caused by facet syndrome. These application periods should last for approximately 20 minutes each, and may be used several times a day as needed. Application should always have a barrier between the skin and compress.
- Being more mindful: Try to build in more micro breaks throughout your day to avoid sitting or standing in the same position for an extended period. Getting up to stretch at least twice during the workday can offer an incredible amount of relief to the spine.
- Taking anti-inflammatory medications: Just like applying hot or cold packs to the spine, anti-inflammatories can quickly reduce any areas of swelling around the facet joint.
- Exercise and Anti Inflammatory diet: Cardiovascular and weight bearing exercises can help strengthen the muscles that support your spine. Activities such as yoga and tai chi can stretch muscles making them more flexible. Following an anti-inflammatory diet is key to decreasing pain and inflammation. Cut out the whites! Avoid foods such as pasta, bread, rice, and sugar. Foods high in calcium and vitamin D, such as leafy green vegetables and some dairy products can help prevent osteoporosis.
Other Medications
In addition to over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, our providers at Boev Clinic may prescribe topical creams, muscle relaxers, or recommend supportive devices to help patients manage their pain.
Chiropractic care
Working with our specialists to manipulate the spine utilizing gentle axial flexion distraction techniques can be beneficial to those struggling with painful symptoms of facet syndrome. During these sessions, patients may be asked to complete multiple exercises designed to strengthen muscles within the back that can provide much-needed support to the spine, and practice how to properly complete everyday activities to avoid further damage to their facet joints.
Steroid Injections
A corticosteroid can be combined with an analgesic-numbing agent to create an injectable solution that quickly reduces swelling around the nerves of the spine. It can be difficult to estimate how frequently an individual will need repeated steroid injections, as every case is unique. However, most should expect their pain to subside for at least a few weeks, while others can be hopeful that their injection lasts for several years.
Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation
If a patient continues to experience chronic bouts of pain caused by facet joint syndrome, our specialists at Boev Clinic may suggest that they undergo a minimally invasive procedure called nerve radiofrequency ablation (RFA). This process uses a thin electrode that is inserted into the spine to target the nerves around the facet joint(s) responsible for the patient’s symptoms. The electrode emits an intense amount of heat to ablate the nerves and destroy their sensitivity, making it impossible for the person to feel pain when these specific nerves are compressed by the facet joint.
Contact Boev Clinic for a Consultation
To learn more about pain management techniques used to treat facet syndrome, or to discuss your symptoms with a specialist in Rochester, NY, please contact Boev Clinic today at (585) 342-2638 to schedule an appointment with our providers!