Facet Spondylosis

What is facet spondylosis?

Your spine is comprised of 33 individual bones, called vertebrae, that are each separated by a disc and interconnected by facet joints. The discs provide cushion and act as shock absorbers, while the facet joints allow for spinal mobility.

As you get older, your discs and joints degenerate. Facet spondylosis is a medical term that indicates degeneration and arthritis (inflammation) of the facet joint. Facet spondylosis can affect any part of your spine, but it is more common in the neck (cervical spine) and lower back (lumbar spine).

What are the symptoms of facet spondylosis?

The degenerative changes that occur in the spine as you get older are normal, and not everyone with facet spondylosis experiences pain. However, if your joints are inflamed or pressing on a nerve, you may experience discomfort.

The type of pain you experience may depend on the location of the inflammation. In the neck, you may have headaches or neck pain that radiates to your shoulders. Your cervical facet spondylosis may also limit your mobility, making it hard for you to turn your head.

In your back, you may feel pain in your lower back, buttocks, or legs. Lumbar facet spondylosis may also make it difficult for you to get up out of a chair or stand up straight. 

What treatments can alleviate the pain caused by facet spondylosis?

The experienced pain specialists at Advanced Pain Management work closely with you to develop a treatment plan that alleviates your back or neck pain. Initially, the team may recommend conservative measures, such as anti-inflammatory medication, muscle relaxants, and physical therapy.

If conservative measures fail to improve your discomfort, the team may recommend a facet joint injection. During the injection, your pain specialist injects a steroid into your facet joint to reduce inflammation and discomfort. In addition to alleviating your pain, the facet joint injection also confirms that the facet joint is the source of your pain. 

Though the facet joint injection may provide relief, the results may only be temporary. If your injection identified the facet joint as your source of pain, the team at Advanced Pain Management could suggest a facet neurotomy/neuroablation for long-term pain relief. During this procedure, your provider uses heat energy to destroy the nerve causing your discomfort.

To schedule a consultation with the pain specialists at Advanced Pain Management, contact the office by phone or online today.