Facet disease, also known as spinal osteoarthritis, most frequently occurs in the lower back, where the lumbar vertebrae are subjected to a great deal of movement, while simultaneously supporting the bulk of the weight of the upper body. This area’s vertebral joints, known as facet joints, are therefore quite vulnerable to deterioration.

As the body ages, or as the lumbar vertebral joints are subjected to excessive wear and tear, the cartilage lining the joints begins to wear away. This cartilage deterioration can lead to a number of potentially debilitating symptoms, including a dull ache and stiffness, which are particularly common after long periods of inactivity such as sleeping at night. Ultimately, the loss of spinal stability caused by deteriorated joint cartilage can produce spinal cord or nerve root compression, which can cause a range of symptoms including radiating pain, tingling, and muscle weakness in the lower extremities.

Designing a Treatment Plan

Once a diagnosis of facet disease in the lower back has been confirmed, a doctor will work closely with the patient to develop a treatment plan designed to manage the symptoms. It is not possible to cure the condition, because cartilage does not regenerate. Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. But that doesn’t mean that nothing can be done to mitigate the resulting pain and other symptoms.

In fact, the vast majority of patients find that they are able to manage their symptoms using a combination of non-surgical treatment methods. The methods required vary from case to case, but in general, some combination of the following can be effective:

– Analgesic medication – helps control the pain.

– Anti-inflammatory medicine – helps reduce the swelling and pain.

– Exercise – cardiovascular health, muscular strength, and joint flexibility are addressed by low-impact activities such as walking or swimming.

– Rest – a short period only, to allow potential swelling to diminish. Controlled movement is recommended as soon as possible to improve joint flexibility and prevent muscle atrophy.

– Physical therapy – range of motion is tested and enhanced by working with a licensed physical therapist.

– Injections – involve a series of injections of corticosteroid compounds into the spine to reduce inflammation and painful pressure on nerves.

– TENS – transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation uses electric currents to block pain.

– Alternative methods – these include chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture, although the efficacy of these methods remains up for debate.

Stay Patient, Communicate With the Doctor

Because no two cases of facet disease in the lower back are the same, a period of trial and error may be required to determine the right combination of conservative methods necessary to manage the full range of symptoms. It’s important for the patient to communicate with the doctor on a regular basis. Simply, if one form of treatment seems to work well, the doctor should know. On the other hand, if a particular treatment method doesn’t seem to help – or worse, exacerbates the symptoms – the doctor should be informed as soon as possible. It’s not advisable for the patient to make changes to his or her treatment regimen without first consulting the doctor, although prescribed activities that produce a great deal of discomfort should be scaled back or discontinued altogether.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for the treatment of facet disease and several other spinal conditions.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for facet disease and other spinal conditions. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/facet_disease/

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for the treatment of facet disease and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: Facet disease