Facet disease, also called facet joint syndrome, is a form of degenerative osteoarthritis that affects the spine. The facet joints are the hinge-like structures where the superior and inferior articular processes of the vertebrae connect and move, allowing your spine to bend and twist. You can actually feel these bony knobs if you curve your back and run your hand down your spine. In a healthy spine, these joints are covered in cartilage that allows for smooth, frictionless movement. However, in a degenerative spine that is afflicted with facet disease, this cartilage wears away and can cause the joints to become painfully stiff or inflamed. The exposed vertebral bones may even begin to rub together, causing the development of bone spurs and the possibility of spinal nerve compression.

Keeping a Journal of Your Facet Disease Pain

You may experience a variety of symptoms if you suffer from facet disease and it will be important to describe this discomfort to your doctor as accurately as possible so that an appropriate treatment plan can be prescribed. Consider keeping a small notebook with you throughout the day where you can make notes of your symptoms as you experience them. Note the time of day, what you were doing when symptoms flared up, how long they lasted, and in what part of the body they appeared. If you become anxious when meeting with your doctors and forget some of the symptoms you wanted to report, this journal will help you remember the details of the discomfort you’ve been experiencing.

How to Categorize your Facet Disease Symptoms

Simply saying that a certain sensation is painful may not be specific enough for your doctor to get a clear picture of your condition. Instead, use a variety of adjectives to more accurately categorize your discomfort: Stiffness, aching, tingling, pins-and-needles, shooting, stationary, throbbing, unilateral, bilateral, cramping, burning, weakness, numbness, and others. While you may feel like you’re just being verbose by going into so much detail, such descriptions can actually help your doctor differentiate between arthralgic (joint-related), radicular (nerve root-related), and myelopathic (spinal cord-related) symptoms.

Working with Your Doctor to Design a Treatment Plan

Staying in close communication with your doctor, both as you explain your symptoms and throughout the treatment process, will be extremely important when dealing with facet disease. Be honest about your lifestyle so that your doctor can best make recommendations about diet and exercise. Also, fully disclose any medications and supplements you’re currently taking and any substances you use, such as tobacco or alcohol. This will help avoid the possibility of dangerous drug interactions and other side effects.

Trying Nonsurgical Treatments First

While each doctor will prescribe a different treatment plan based on the patient’s unique needs, it’s likely that a wide range of nonsurgical treatments will be suggested before surgery ever becomes an option. Common conservative treatments include over-the-counter or prescription medication, low-impact exercise, gentle stretching, physical therapy, hot/cold compresses, and behavior modification. Other methods may include bracing, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), facet joint injections, or ultrasound therapy. The majority of patients with facet disease will likely be able to manage their symptoms non-surgically.

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: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Facet disease