Before exploring facet disease symptoms and ways to manage the discomfort associated with this condition, learning about what causes symptoms in the first place will be important. Facet disease is a form of osteoarthritis that affects the facet joints, or zygapophysial joints, of the spine. These joints connect adjacent articulating vertebrae and are lined with a layer of cartilage that allows for frictionless movement. Over time, this cartilage can begin to wear away as part of the aging process, though other factors may play a role in cartilage degeneration, including gender, genetics, previous injuries, and lifestyle. Regardless of what causes the cartilage denegation, without this soft, shock-absorbent lining, a variety of joint complications can ensue, such as reduced joint movement and joint instability, among others.

Two Types of Facet Disease Symptoms

In general, facet disease symptoms fall under one of two categories: arthralgic symptoms (pain within a joint) or radicular symptoms (pain stemming from compression of, or damage to, a nerve root). Characteristics of each include:

– Arthralgia – When joint cartilage has deteriorated, the joint may become stiff and difficult to move. Some patients even experience spontaneous joint lockage. The raw bones of the joint may also begin to rub together, which can lead to an uncomfortable sensation of friction (called “crepitus”), the irritation of the local nerves (medial branch nerves) inside the joint, or the formation of bone spurs (osteophytes). Pain or throbbing may be felt in the back or neck when trying to twist or extend the area of your spine where facet disease has set in.

– Radiculopathy – If bone spurs or joint inflammation invade the space of the spinal canal or one of the neuroforamina (nerve passageways) on either side of each vertebra, a spinal nerve root may become compressed. Nerve root compression can cause symptoms of pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness to follow the entire path of that nerve, which means symptoms are no longer confined to the spine but have spread to the upper or lower extremities.

Medication & Other Conservative Treatments

One of the initial treatments that your doctor may prescribe to help you find relief from facet disease symptoms is over-the-counter medication. Ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen are all viable options. Prescription narcotic medications may also be prescribed depending on the severity of your pain. Other conservative treatment options that have helped many patients manage their discomfort include hot/cold compresses, gentle stretching, low-impact exercise, behavior modification, facet joint nerve block injections, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

There is no cure for facet disease and the condition cannot be reversed, though the majority of patients with this condition find they can manage their symptoms nonsurgically with a combination of the above treatment methods. Only in rare cases will some patients find that they need surgery to deaden the local joint nerve endings (medial branch nerves), or decompress the spinal nerve roots that are affected due to facet disease. Decompression surgery can take several forms, ranging from highly invasive to minimally invasive. Be sure to talk with several spine specialists before consenting to any one type of surgery so that you can be sure you’re making the best choice for your health.

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