Surgery for facet disease in the neck is almost never necessary. Facet disease is defined as osteoarthritis that affects the vertebral joints, and it can occur at any level of the spine. It is most common within the lumbar (lower back) and cervical (neck) regions, where the anatomical components are exposed to a great deal of stress-inducing movement and support the weight of the upper body and the head, respectively. One of the most prevalent symptoms of facet disease within the cervical region is neck stiffness, especially in the morning after a long night’s sleep. This symptom and others usually can be managed without surgery, using a regimen of conservative treatment methods.

The Team Approach

In order to determine what forms of conservative treatment are right for you, it is incumbent upon you and your doctor to work closely together – and not only at the time of diagnosis. No two cases of facet disease in the neck are alike, and no two patients respond exactly the same to similar treatments. Sometimes, a period of trial and error is necessary to determine the right combination of treatment methods. The goal is not to “cure” you of arthritis, because the condition itself is incurable. Rather, you and your doctor will focus on symptom management, with an eye on both short-term and a long-term relief.

In addition to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), your physician might suggest the following conservative treatment methods for facet disease in the neck:

– Neck exercises/stretches – a physical therapist can recommend an exercise regimen geared toward providing strength and flexibility to the neck muscles, which can help make up for the reduced ability of joints to provide spinal stability.

– Traction – weights and a system of pulleys stretch the neck and keep it immobilized; in theory, more space becomes available for compressed nerve roots.

– Immobilizing collar – in the short-term, using a brace or collar can help relieve pressure from the anatomical components within the neck.

– Corticosteroid injections – this is another short-term method, providing almost instant relief but lasting only a few weeks or months.

When to Consider Surgery for Facet Disease in the Neck

As mentioned, surgery is almost always the last resort for facet disease. However, if – after several weeks or months – chronic symptoms continue to interfere with your ability to function normally, it may be time to ask your physician about your surgical options. Be sure to conduct thorough research into the risks and potential side effects, and consider seeking a second or even a third opinion before consenting to surgery of any kind.

A good place to turn during your surgical research is your roster of friends and family members. If you are active on social media such as Twitter or Facebook, consider crowd-sourcing your questions about the planned procedure. Chances are, if you have a large enough following or community, someone you are acquainted with has experienced similar surgery. Internet message boards also a good place to check for people who have been through the experience. However, keep in mind that the information gathered from these online sources should serve as a complement to, not a replacement for, the medically informed opinions and facts you get from your doctor or spine specialist.

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: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Facet disease