Facet Joint Disease

Facet joints are located between the vertebrae of the spine and help with flexibility and stabilization. When they degenerate, facet joint disease occurs. Other names for the condition are facet joint syndrome and facet syndrome.

Cause

• When cartilage covering facet joints deteriorates and allows synovial fluid to leak or dry up, friction, bone-on-bone contact and bone spurs occur, causing facet joint disease.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of facet joint disease include intermittent pain, joint tenderness, loss of spinal muscle flexibility, discomfort when leaning forward, low back pain that radiates down the buttocks and back of the legs, and shoulder or upper back pain.

Diagnosis

• X-rays and CAT-scan tests are typically used to spot signs of degeneration. A definitive diagnosis is most often reached after facet joint injections in which an x-ray contrast, local anesthetic and cortisone are injected. If the pain subsides as a result of the injections, a diagnosis can be made.

Misconceptions

• Conditions such as a herniated disc, infection, fracture, arthritis, torn muscles in the spine or lower back and acute intra-abdominal problems are often mistaken for facet joint disease.

Treatment

• Treatment includes physical therapy, medication to manage pain, heat therapy, improving posture, chiropractor care and acupuncture. If these do not work, surgery is often the only alternative.